May 4 2007
G24 Innovations Limited (G24i), a UK-based company that aims to revolutionise solar power by leading the development of extremely lightweight, flexible solar cells, has announced the appointment of Dr. Kevin Tabor as Director of Science & Research and Howard Sutton as Director of Operations. Both will sit on the company’s Executive Board.
G24i’s Cardiff site will be the first factory in the world to mass produce dye-sensitised solar cells, a technological breakthrough that combines innovative material science and nanotechnology to generate renewable power in a process similar to photosynthesis.
Dr. Tabor has been a member of the scientific community for over twenty-six years and brings considerable solar technology experience to the team. As part of the technology transfer and license agreement with the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL), Dr. Tabor will be based in Switzerland with Dr. Michael Graetzel, best known for his development of the dye-sensitised nano-structured solar cell and also a member of the G24i Advisory Board. Previously, Dr. Tabor served as Director of Manufacturing and Technology at Solar Integrated Technologies. He holds his PhD in Chemistry from the University of California, Irvine.
Howard Sutton joins from contact lens business Clearlab International, where he held the position of International Engineering Director. He has over eighteen years of experience in nanotechnology development and manufacturing engineering and holds an MSc in Machine Design from Cranfield University.
Clemens Betzel, President of G24i, comments on the appointments: “The appointment of both Kevin and Howard gives our management team and technical credentials a considerable boost. Both are experts in their fields. That they have joined our business is testament to the fact that we are at the forefront of a ground-breaking technological development which will change how we think about the potential of solar energy.
“We are entering an exciting chapter in our development. Kevin and Howard will help us achieve full-scale production of dye-sensitised solar cells in the near future –a world first.”
G24i’s Cardiff facility will have an initial 30MW capacity with plans for an extension to 200MW by 2008. The technology works in ambient and low-light conditions, bringing the full potential of solar energy to new industries and areas of the world. G24i is developing products to power mobile telephones, portable electronics, clothing, tents, and building materials. It also sees a significant role for its technology in addressing energy access in the developing world.