California Energy Commission Awards Grant to Konarka

New Funds Will Aid Application Development of Coated Power Plastics

Lowell, Mass. – October 13, 2004 – Konarka Technologies, Inc., an innovator in developing and manufacturing power plastics that convert light to energy, today announced the California Energy Commission is earmarking funds from its Energy Innovations Small Grant Program for Konarka. The grant will be used to accelerate Konarka’s efforts to bring aesthetically integrated plastic photovoltaics to the roofing market.

Over the next 12 months, Konarka will apply this grant to examining the potential for coating patterned power plastic roofing materials that mimic the appearance of traditional roofing products. Aesthetics and cost have been key hurdles in increasing market penetration for renewable photovoltaic power in the residential roofing market, but Konarka’s materials will look like a conventional roof. They will include embedded renewable energy generation functionality, rather than require consumers to purchase and install separate aftermarket solar panels as is typically done now. These Konarka-enhanced roofing materials will cost less, blend with the aesthetics of the building and help consumers avoid violating their roofs’ warranties when going green.

“Konarka is trying to change the way solar technologies are perceived both in terms of their image and application,” said Daniel McGahn, executive vice president and chief marketing officer,Konarka. “It’s always been easy to spot a solar house – the big, bulky, rigid glass panels are so conspicuous. With this grant, what we’re trying to do is provide the same functionality, but with the appearance of everyday roofing material. It will be lightweight, flexible and seamlessly incorporated with colors, patterns or images. You might not be able to see the solar component, but you’ll reap the benefits.”

The Energy Innovations Small Grant Program is part of the California Energy Commission’s Public Interest Energy Research (PIER) Program, which awards up to $62 million annually to support energy research, development and demonstration projects that will help improve the quality of life in California by bringing environmentally safe, affordable and reliable energy services and products to the marketplace. The Small Grant program enables small businesses, non-profits, individuals and academic institutions to conduct research that establishes the feasibility of new, innovative energy concepts. Konarka’s project qualifies for the grant under the renewable energy technologies program area of PIER, addresses a California energy problem and provide a potential benefit to California electric ratepayers, such as reducing the cost of producing electricity, saving energy and improving the environment.

About Konarka Technologies, Inc.
Konarka builds products that convert light to energy – anywhere. Konarka is the leading developer of polymer photovoltaic products that provide a source of renewable power in a variety of form factors for commercial, industrial, government and consumer applications. Konarka’s photovoltaic nanotechnology is focused on delivering lightweight, flexible, scalable and manufacturable products. Konarka has a broad portfolio of patents, technology licenses and an accomplished technical team. Nobel Laureate Professor Alan Heeger (UC Santa Barbara) is a chief scientist for Konarka, and Dr. Michael Grätzel (Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne) is a senior scientific advisor. Konarka Technologies is headquartered in Lowell, Mass., U.S.A., with research and development subsidiaries in Austria, Germany and Switzerland. For more information, visit www.konarka.com or contact Tracy Wemett, BroadPR, at 617-868-5031 or .

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