OPV,or Organic Photo Voltaics is what is commonly known as the 3rd generation of Photo Voltaics (PV), which was first introduced some 50 years ago.

The development of the 1st and 2nd generation PV has reached its technical limit of development and in today's pollution conscious climate, the energy cost to produce these old style PV panels consumes many years of the benefits provided.

By way of contrast, OPV or POWER PLASTIC, is a 'clean' product with a low energy production profile and at the commencement of its development cycle.

"Power Plastic has the ability to generate electricity across a broad light range and is not dependent on direct sunlight to provide power"

SKYShades has the USA exclusive rights to attach this POWER PLASTIC to the flexible membrane roofing for which SKYShades is renowned and a world leader.

The advantages of PV technology:
- The fuel is free.
- There are no moving parts to wear out, break down or replace.
- Only minimal maintenance is required to keep the system running.
- The systems are modular and can be quickly installed anywhere.
- It produces no noise, harmful emissions or polluting gases. PV cells and modules
PV cells are generally made either from crystalline silicon, sliced from ingots or castings or from grown
ribbons, or thin film, deposited in thin layers on a low-cost backing. Most cell production (90% in 2007)
has so far involved the former, whilst future plans have a strong focus on the latter. Thin film technology
based on silicon and other materials is expected to gain a much larger share of the PV market. This
technology offers several advantages, such as low material consumption, low weight and a smooth
appearance.

From left to right - Joe McKenna SKYShades Executive Vice President, Dan Williams Konarka's Vice President Product and Business Development, Rick Hess Konarka's President and Chief Executive Officer, Barry Maranta President SKYShades and the Principal of Lake Highland College discuss time line of field testing.     SKYShades' structures cover such a diverse range of market segments from stadiums, amphitheatres, car wash facilities, play ground equipment, car parks, restaurants etc. The initial focus for the application of Organic Photovoltaics to our tensioned-membrane structures is with the simple 'Al Fresco' umbrella that can be seen at coffee shops, hotels and resorts throughout the world. The application of Konarka's Power Plastic technology to these umbrellas will deliver 'clean' 'green' energy for people to recharge their laptops, mobile phones, IPods and other personal appliances.....whilst enjoying a 'coffee break'! Once the launch of Organic Photovoltaics on Al Fresco umbrellas is successfully completed, SKYShades intends to then move rapidly into providing the same 'clean' 'green' energy options to existing and new Shopping Centre car parks, stadiums, amphitheatres, restaurants etc. around the world through its world-wide Franchise partners. By fitting these larger areas of tensioned-membrane canopies with OPV panels, the potential for delivering 'clean' 'green' electricity to a planet which is demanding alternative energy sources is quite promising.

Selling to the Grid A feed-in tariff is a renewable energy law that obliges energy suppliers to buy electricity produced from renewable resources at a fixed price, usually over a fixed period - even from householders. These legal guarantees ensure investment security, and the support of all viable renewable energy technologies. Supporters argue that the feed-in model, if implemented effectively around the world, would greatly assist the energy revolution that is so desperately required; through CO2 reduction, market creation and development, job creation and improved energy security. South Australia currently leads the way in Australia with recent legislation in February 2008 providing the first solar feed-in laws in Australia which pay a premium to consumers South Australian householders and small energy consumers using solar power will now be paid twice the value of electricity they put back into the electricity grid. South Australian Premier Mike Rann said the scheme is a major improvement on previous systems where surplus power was only matched dollar for dollar. "Climate Change is the greatest threat facing our world and I'm very proud to see South Australia again leading the way," Mr Rann said. Internationally the "Feed in Tariff" system has been introduced in 16 of the 25 European states and another seven countries outside Europe including Canada, China and Israel. There is no doubt that Germany is the pioneer of the "Feed in Tariff" system and now with more than 300,000 photovoltaic systems in Germany -- the energy law had planned for 100,000. Spread out across the country, they are owned by legions of homeowners, farmers and small businesses who are capitalizing on the government-backed march into renewable energy. By tapping the daylight for electricity -- which power companies are obliged to buy for 20 years at more than triple market prices -- they are at the vanguard of a grassroots movement in the fight against climate change. "It's grown much faster than anyone thought it would," Juergen Trittin, the former Environment Minister who masterminded the scheme, told Reuters. He was mocked at the time for his claims it would create jobs and not hurt the economy. There are now 250,000 jobs in Germany in the renewables energy sector. Asbeck expects the number of jobs in solar power alone to double to 90,000 over the next five years and hit 200,000 in 2020. The power firms are obliged to buy solar electricity for 49 cents per kilowatt hour -- or nearly four times market rates. The law has also since served as a model for other countries including Spain, Portugal, Greece, France and Italy.   Konarka to Develop Power Plastic® Prototype Panels for SKYShades® Products to Investigate Generating Electrical Power from Shade Structures Lowell, Mass. and Orlando, FL - Jan. 30 2008 - Konarka Technologies, Inc., an innovator in development and commercialization of Power Plastic®, a material that converts light to energy, and SKYShades®, one of the global leaders in supplying shade and tension membrane structures, today announced they have entered into a development agreement per a confidential memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the purpose of investigating the creation of photovoltaic electrical power for SKYShade products. From left to right - Joe McKenna SKYShades Executive Vice President, Dan Williams Konarka's Vice President Product and Business Development, Rick Hess Konarka's President and Chief Executive Officer, Barry Maranta President SKYShades discuss the field testing. Converting light to energy. "Konarka's photovoltaic materials are lightweight, flexible and more versatile than traditional solar materials so Konarka is the ideal choice for us to work with to investigate the possibilities of integrating solar technology into our shades," commented Barry Maranta, president and CEO at SKYShades. "With this technology development agreement, SKYShades is committed to advancing our products and being the world's largest supplier of tension fabric structures." Konarka has agreed to design custom Power Plastic® prototypes and design layout suggestions for delivery in 2008. SKYShades will use the prototypes to determine arrangement and fastening methods and build prototype designs for the purposes of further investigation and development by both companies. "We are delighted to be working with SKYShades to develop prototypes for investigating the potential of generating electricity within the tension membrane fabric canopy market," commented Rick Hess, president and CEO at Konarka. "Entering development in this market space furthers Konarka's commitment to delivering our photovoltaic technology commercially for numerous applications." About SKYShades Based in Orlando, Florida and Brisbane, Australia, with franchise partners across Asia and the Middle East, SKYShades specializes in the design, engineering and installation of high-tech, high quality tension membrane fabric structures for a comprehensive range of applications, such as hotels/resorts, playgrounds, schools, homes, restaurants, bars, shopping malls, recreation spaces, car dealerships, car washes, gas stations, walkways, theme parks and specialist architectural purposes. For more information, visit: www.skyshades.com and www.skyshades.com.au. 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.