Specialist glassmaker Romag has seen profits leap by a fifth as it increases production of glass which turns the sun's rays into electricity.

The Consett company said yesterday that its earnings had jumped to £1.9m as sales of its solar-powered PowerGlaz product had tripled to £5.4m in the year to the end of September.

While two-thirds of Romag's output is still the security and bulletproof glass on which it made its name, the Aim-listed business has looked increasingly to the growing demand for renewable energy to fuel its growth.

Within months its factory will have the capacity to triple production of PowerGlaz and expects sales to grow and jobs to be created as they do, although yesterday the company was shy of putting a figure on any recruitment to its 160-strong workforce.

Romag raised £2.6m in a share placing in June to help pay for a new £4m production line which it expects to be fully operational by next summer.

Chairman John Kennair said: "From an almost standing start two years ago our renewable energy product PowerGlaz now accounts for almost a third of our sales.

"This, in addition to our strong markets in security and transport, have contributed to a consistent increase in profit over the last three years. The increasing shift towards renewable forms of power generation, backed by both political and public support, makes us confident that our second PowerGlaz investment is being made at the right time. This is a very exciting time for the industry."

So far, Powerglaz has been mainly used in publicly-funded developments such as the Eden Project in Cornwall, London Science Museum, Southampton University and Stanley bus station in County Durham.It is also targeting major building projects in London and is looking to get a slice of work on the capital's 2012 Olympics developments as it rolls out its pioneering products.

And chief executive Lyn Miles said: "There are lots of companies making pre-made models but we are the only UK company making integrated photo-voltaic windows, which means the products are bespoke and can be used in large glazing projects such as roofing.

"The growth will all be handled in Consett for the time being. I can't say we will never look at manufacturing abroad but there are certainly no plans at the moment. What we have here is the know-how, that is what makes us special."

Overall sales were up 3.8% to £16.4m, which reflected a fall in revenues from its traditional security related glass. But Romag said it was committed to continuing making these products in large quantities, particularly given the increasing concerns about security issues.