Title: Konarka Appoints Global Building Materials Industry Executive to Board of Directors

Industry sector: Solar

Announcement Type: New Personnel

William Collins Brings Extensive Building Expertise to Help Integrate Konarka's Photovoltaic Technology into Roofing and Sidewall Systems

Lowell, Mass. – Konarka Technologies, Inc., an innovator in development and commercialization of Power Plastic®, a material that converts light to energy, today announced the company has appointed high level, global building materials veteran William Collins to its Board of Directors. Formerly president and chief executive officer of GAF Materials Corporation, North America’s largest manufacturer of residential and commercial roofing, Mr. Collins will serve as an independent director on Konarka’s board. He also currently serves on the Global Leadership Council for Habitat for Humanity International.

“Bill brings a wealth of knowledge and experience of distribution channels, applications and manufacturing processes in the building and roofing industries,” commented Howard Berke, executive chairman of the board at Konarka. “His vast experience will help Konarka to secure its future goals of commercializing and developing photovoltaics into innovative, flexible roofing and siding systems.”

Mr. Collins is a 29-year veteran of the construction materials industry with a particular focus on residential and commercial building manufacturing, distribution channels and applications. He began his construction career in the U.S. Navy, serving from 1972 to 1981. He has worked in multiple roles at Atlantic Richfield Company (ARCO) and Berger Building Products, leaders in sidewall products. From 1992 to 2006, he held various positions at GAF Materials Corporation, most recently as president and chief executive officer. He has served on the Executive Steering Committee for the Roofing Alliance for Progress, as well as on the Policy Advisory Board for the Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University. He has a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Chicago, a master’s degree in civil engineering and construction management from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a bachelor’s degree from the U.S. Naval Academy.

“Konarka’s breakthrough technology allows lightweight, flexible and more versatile photovoltaics than traditional solar materials,” commented William Collins, new independent director on Konarka’s Board. “I look forward to bringing my extensive industry perspective and leadership to help deliver Konarka’s unique photovoltaic technology to benefit the building and roofing industry.”

Konarka plans to commercialize its polymer-based organic photovoltaic (OPV) technology specifically for various structures and homes of all income levels, including developing countries. Konarka will incorporate its Power Plastic into Building Integrated applications, such as a semi-transparent window film that generates electricity, as well as other applications where lightweight and transparency features provide a significant advantage.

About Konarka Technologies, Inc.
Konarka builds products that convert light to energy – anywhere. As the leading developer of polymer photovoltaic technology that provide a source of renewable power in a variety of form factors for commercial, industrial, government and consumer applications, Konarka has a broad portfolio of patents, technology licenses and an accomplished technical team. The Company's Power Plastic® technology is focused on delivering lightweight, flexible, scalable and manufacturable products. Konarka Technologies is headquartered in Lowell, Mass., U.S.A., with European headquarters in Nuremberg, Germany, business development offices in Asia and a research and development facility in Austria. For additional information, visit http://www.konarka.com.