Newport-based G24 Power, world leading solar cell manufacturers, has re-started production of its solar cells after acquiring G24 Innovations Ltd that went into administration last year.

The company, has gone from strength to strength in recent months and has now been able to re-start production of its dye sensitised solar cell (DSSC), as well as starting research and development activities on new products including solid-state flexible cells.

Located at a new 89,000sq metre factory at Imperial Park in Newport, South Wales, the company will now employ 35 local workers at its factory and plans to quadruple its production capacity from 500,000 metres to 2,000,000 in the next two years.

G24 Power is recognised as the world leader in the design and manufacture of the GCell, a thin, flexible, photovoltaic film that converts light energy into electrical energy even in low light conditions. The new factory will enable more than 500,000 metres of flexible GCell modules to be produced each year.

Design engineers at G24 are also looking into developing the next generation GCell which will see enhancements to its power density and configuration as well as offering new aesthetic options.

Richard Costello, CEO of G24 Power, said: “We are delighted to be able to move into a more suited factory. The move will allow us to increase production and work more effectively on new products.

“Our GCell is unique in the market and is the closest that mankind has come to replicating nature’s photosynthesis. We are now able to use this technology to create the next generation cell.

“We even have a few famous fans. Former Vice-President of the United States, Al Gore, was presented with a unique backpack powered by one of our GCells on his recent visit to École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Switzerland. As arguably the world’s highest profile environmental campaigners we are delighted that we can show him what our cells can do. He will now be able to use his backpack to capture energy from sunlight and ambient light to charge various electronic devices including his mobile phone.”

G24 Power’s products have been used all over the world and its innovations have included installation of energy efficient window blinds for 8,000 windows at the MGM Grand hotel in Las Vegas, and creating the world’s first light-powered iPad keyboard folio.