UT's hopes to become a leader in solar energy will be aided by a grant recently received from NASA.
"First of all, it secures our reputation as a key leader in solar energy, so this adds a real diamond to our crown," said Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur.
Kaptur, D-Ohio, and member of the House Appropriations Committee, announced at a news conference on Aug. 22 she secured a $1.13 million grant from NASA for the Clean and Alternative Energy Incubator, located by the corner of Westood Avenue and Dorr Street that houses several labs where businesses will be able to move in and research solar energy.
The money secured in the grant will give UT the ability to test and certify solar panels.
NASA will be a partner with the incubator at UT, Kaptur said.
"I expect Toledo to power the world and to do it renewably," she said.
She compared the solar technology business to the springtime sprouts in a forest.
"It is nowhere near mature, but we are planting new forests. These seedlings are going to grow," she said.
Many Toledoans don't know their city has solar power technology yet, Kaptur said.
Toledo already has a solar field at the 180th Fighter Wing Air National Guard, which will soon power almost half of the field, she said.
"UT creates the science and technology, and then it's spun off into private industry," Kaptur said.
First Solar Inc., located in Perrysburg, is an example of a company that resulted from UT's research, Kaptur said.
UT houses the Center for Photovoltaic Innovation and Commercialization, which makes the technology for the solar panel cells.
NASA scientists, who are collaborating with scientists from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, Colo., are going to be relocating here, she said. "So there's brain gain going on here," Kaptur said.
"The presidential candidates are talking about this," she said of the solar power technology. "We've done it - it's great."
The office of the Lucas County Commissioners will also aid UT's solar research by subsidizing costs for their projects, said David Mann, public affairs liaison at the office.
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