Coater upgrade will expand West Coast capabilities for PPG solar glass
PPG Industries’ flat glass business announced that a coater at its Salem, Ore., glass plant is currently being upgraded to enable the manufacture of SOLARPHIRE(R) AR anti-reflective and 2XAR two-sided, anti-reflective glasses.
Richard A. Beuke, PPG vice president, flat glass, said investment in the Salem factory, along with new production of ultra-high light-transmissive glass at PPG’s Fresno, Calif., factory, is part of PPG’s continuing commitment to serving the West Coast’s growing solar power industry.
“With the new capabilities at Salem and Fresno, we can now produce Solarphire PV (photovoltaic) glass at Fresno then ship it to Salem for the addition of an anti-reflective coating,” Beuke said. “That enables us not just to accelerate internal production, but to respond more quickly and with a broader range of products to solar industry customers throughout the western U.S. It also enables solar customers to further reduce the carbon footprint of solar cell manufacturing.”
The Salem plant will be expanded and workers added to accommodate increased production volume. “We are very pleased to be adding to our workforce the kinds of green jobs this country needs to help improve the economy and further reduce our dependence on foreign oil,” Beuke added.
Scott Follett, global director, PPG Solar Performance Group, said that shifting part of PPG’s solar glass production from the East Coast to the West Coast will make it easier for customers to manage their production and inventory requirements. “Our goal is to fulfill most standard and in-stock orders for Solarphire PV and Solarphire AR glasses by the next day in California, Arizona and Nevada,” he said.
