Posted 27 July 2010
Minister announces 80 new highly skilled green tech jobs
Irish green technology company, SolarPrint, co-founded in 2008 by Dr Mazhar Bari, a physics graduate from University College Dublin, will create 80 new highly skilled jobs in engineering and research and development by the end of 2010.
The company, which recently signed an agreement with car manufacturer Fiat to develop solar panels that can be incorporated into the roof surface of cars, partners with the SFI funded ‘Advanced Biomimetic Materials for Solar Energy Conversion’ strategic research cluster led by UCD Professor Don MacElroy, Head of the UCD School of Chemical and Bioprocess Engineering.
Pictured far right: Dr Mazhar Bari, chief executive officer, SolarPrint; Maja Sourdaine, materials and printing engineer, SolarPrint; and Batt O’Keeffe, TD, Minister for Enterprise Trade and Innovation
The new jobs announced by the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation, Mr Batt O’Keeffe TD, at the company’s headquarters in Dublin will increase the number of employees at the company from 20 to 100 by the end of the year.
“Ireland is now recognised internationally as a top incubator for product innovation,” said Minister O’Keeffe. “SolarPrint's ambitious expansion plans demonstrate that we have the right mix of pro-business taxation policies, high-potential enterprise supports and talented workforce to enable firms to create products and services for worldwide consumption."
According to Dr Bari, CEO, SolarPrint, the announcement is the latest stage in the company’s evolution from start-up firm to established enterprise, and will benefit the country's economy.
“This recruitment drive will be a significant shot in the arm for the post-graduate research sector in Ireland and will help to position Ireland as a viable knowledge centre in the field of photovoltaic technology,” he said.
“The successful development and growth of this new Irish green technology company exemplifies how by working together, engineers, scientists, entrepreneurs, and the Government can generate the products and companies of the future,” said Professor Desmond Fitzgerald, Vice-President for Research at UCD.
“Developing renewable energy technology and the means to integrate it onto the grid is a key objective of research at University College Dublin and will help Ireland achieve its 2020 target to have 40% of electricity derived from sources wind and solar.”
The candidates for the new jobs at SolarPrint will hold third-level degrees in chemistry, electrical engineering, physics or material sciences. Commercial and financial roles will also be created as part of the company’s expansion plans.
(Produced by UCD University Relations)
