August 22, 2008: Kaptur Announces NASA Partnership with UT To Advance Solar Energy Research
August 22, 2008
Marcy Kaptur announced that the National Aeronautics and SpaceAdministration (NASA) has signed on as a partner at the CleanAlternative Energy Incubator at the University of Toledo. CongresswomanKaptur, a member of the House Appropriations Committee, said she hassecured a $1.13 million commitment from NASA to help bringcertification business to the center.
“This exciting partnership represents one more step toward abrighter future for our region,” Kaptur said. “Bringing NASA into ournationally-recognized alternative energy initiative will help make theUniversity of Toledo the center for solar energy research in America.”
Congresswoman Kaptur made the announcement at an event held at theincubator, where she was joined by Dr. Lloyd A. Jacobs, president ofthe University of Toledo, and Lucas County Commissioner TinaSkeldon-Wozniak.
“UT is already recognized as one of the leading research institutionsin the nation—if not the leading institution—in the field ofalternative energy,” Kaptur said. “The partnership between NASA and UTbuilds on a federal commitment of more than $50 million over the pasteight years and creates a synergy that holds out the promise of manynew, good-paying jobs in our region.
“We anticipate the Northwest Ohio-Southeast Michigan corridor will behome to the largest research and development effort and manufacturingcapacity for photovoltaics in the nation.”
Congresswoman Kaptur said NASA is a logical partner for the UT Centerdue to its long involvement with solar arrays and solar power ingeneral.
“As NASA celebrates its 50th anniversary, we welcome its participationin our futuristic endeavors here in Toledo to provide America with aclean, sustainable source of energy,” Kaptur said. “There is no greaterpriority for America than to reclaim her energy independence. With NASAas a partner, the UT Center for Photovoltaic Innovation andCommercialization (PVIC) will bring that ‘Energy Independence Day’ evercloser and create new opportunities in our region at the same time.”
Kaptur said the UT Wright Center is not even two years old, but alreadyis paying dividends for the nation and the community.
The NASA partnership will further expand the large-area, thin-filmphotovoltaic testing and certification laboratory at UT. The goal is totest and certify large-area solar modules and also predict theirperformance for possible use in future space missions. This isparticularly important for the flexible, ultra-lightweight photovoltaicmodules that are currently under development by local companies such asToledo-based Xunlight.
As part of the project, UT and NASA (through its Glenn Research Centerin Brook Park, Ohio) will collaborate with the National RenewableEnergy Laboratory in Golden, Colorado to help meet an increasingnational demand for photovoltaic testing and certification at an OhioPhotovoltaics Testing Facility.
Congresswoman Kaptur praised Dr. Jacobs for his commitment toalternative energy research. She recognized Dr. Michael J. Heben, whowill coordinate the collaboration with NREL along with Dr. RandyEllingson. Dr. Heben currently has a joint appointment at UT and NREL,but will leave the federal laboratory by the end of the year, as willDr. Ellingson.
Professor Robert Collins will be the principal investigator anddirector of this project. The co-director will be Dr. SylvainMarsillac.
“This exciting partnership represents one more step toward abrighter future for our region,” Kaptur said. “Bringing NASA into ournationally-recognized alternative energy initiative will help make theUniversity of Toledo the center for solar energy research in America.”
Congresswoman Kaptur made the announcement at an event held at theincubator, where she was joined by Dr. Lloyd A. Jacobs, president ofthe University of Toledo, and Lucas County Commissioner TinaSkeldon-Wozniak.
“UT is already recognized as one of the leading research institutionsin the nation—if not the leading institution—in the field ofalternative energy,” Kaptur said. “The partnership between NASA and UTbuilds on a federal commitment of more than $50 million over the pasteight years and creates a synergy that holds out the promise of manynew, good-paying jobs in our region.
“We anticipate the Northwest Ohio-Southeast Michigan corridor will behome to the largest research and development effort and manufacturingcapacity for photovoltaics in the nation.”
Congresswoman Kaptur said NASA is a logical partner for the UT Centerdue to its long involvement with solar arrays and solar power ingeneral.
“As NASA celebrates its 50th anniversary, we welcome its participationin our futuristic endeavors here in Toledo to provide America with aclean, sustainable source of energy,” Kaptur said. “There is no greaterpriority for America than to reclaim her energy independence. With NASAas a partner, the UT Center for Photovoltaic Innovation andCommercialization (PVIC) will bring that ‘Energy Independence Day’ evercloser and create new opportunities in our region at the same time.”
Kaptur said the UT Wright Center is not even two years old, but alreadyis paying dividends for the nation and the community.
The NASA partnership will further expand the large-area, thin-filmphotovoltaic testing and certification laboratory at UT. The goal is totest and certify large-area solar modules and also predict theirperformance for possible use in future space missions. This isparticularly important for the flexible, ultra-lightweight photovoltaicmodules that are currently under development by local companies such asToledo-based Xunlight.
As part of the project, UT and NASA (through its Glenn Research Centerin Brook Park, Ohio) will collaborate with the National RenewableEnergy Laboratory in Golden, Colorado to help meet an increasingnational demand for photovoltaic testing and certification at an OhioPhotovoltaics Testing Facility.
Congresswoman Kaptur praised Dr. Jacobs for his commitment toalternative energy research. She recognized Dr. Michael J. Heben, whowill coordinate the collaboration with NREL along with Dr. RandyEllingson. Dr. Heben currently has a joint appointment at UT and NREL,but will leave the federal laboratory by the end of the year, as willDr. Ellingson.
Professor Robert Collins will be the principal investigator anddirector of this project. The co-director will be Dr. SylvainMarsillac.