Governor Jan Brewer is awarding seven Arizona renewable energy companies more than $2.7 million to advance their operations and create nearly 180 new jobs for Arizonans. The awards come through the Manufacturers’ Energy-Efficiency Grant Assistance (MEGA) Program at the Arizona Commerce Authority, and are targeted at creating and implementing energy solutions.
“These awards invest in the latest technologies to advance Arizona’s position as a global renewable energy leader while creating new, good jobs,” said Governor Jan Brewer. “Investment in our state’s emerging renewable energy industry will have lasting benefits and lead to long-term market transformation which will build a more sustainable Arizona economy.”
The reimbursable grants are for the purchase of new energy-efficient fixed assets. Manufacturers were required to create at least two jobs per $100,000 received, provide 50 percent matching in-kind funds, and ensure the equipment would be operational within 12 months. Recipients of MEGA grants include new and expanding Arizona companies.
Fluidic, Inc, located in Scottsdale, is transforming the way electricity is generated, delivered and consumed by delivering a truly innovative energy storage approach. Fluidic Energy’s core technology, a 1-4.5 kW field deployable battery, enables a fundamentally lower cost and its high energy density delivers ultra-long run times in comparison to traditional batteries. This breakthrough technology is establishing a new benchmark for environmental friendliness, making it ideally suited for customer-sited applications and utility sized applications.
Grant Award: $500,000
Linamar Solar Systems, located in Glendale, will fabricate (welding) and assemble Stirling Energy System’s SunCatcher Power Conversion Unit (PCU). The PCU is an integral part of the solar power generation system where a solar dish provides thermal energy that powers a Stirling Cycle Engine which then converts the thermal energy into grid-quality electrical energy.
Grant Award: $260,670
Prism Solar Technologies manufactures HPC holographic film in Tucson. This film is a component that is incorporated into photovoltaic panels and acts as a planar concentrator, enhancing the production of electricity in solar panels. Prism PV modules minimizes the use of expensive solar cells but still maintain above average output.
Grant Award: $494,071
Rogers Corporation will establish a new manufacturing operation in Chandler. The facility will make power distribution systems and solutions. Rogers has a depth of experience in designing and manufacturing power distribution busbars for the world's leading producers of electronic equipment.
Grant Award: $260,670
Schletter, Inc., located in Tucson, designs and manufactures racking and support systems for photovoltaic (PV) electrical energy systems. Schletter specializes in light metal production using only the highest quality aluminum, stainless steel and steel materials.
Grant Award: $500,000
Southwest Windpower, Inc. designs and manufactures wind turbines in Flagstaff. With global competition coming on strong, Southwest Windpower will upgrade and expand its production facilities with an emphasis on lean manufacturing.
Grant Award: $458,918
Suntech Arizona, Inc., part of Suntech Power Holdings, will manufacture solar photovoltaic (PV) modules in its new Goodyear facility. Suntech Arizona will have an initial annual manufacturing capacity of 30MWs based on a two shift production schedule.
Grant Award: $260,670
The grants are part of the State Energy Program (SEP) funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009. The U.S. Department of Energy provided $55 million of ARRA funding to Arizona’s SEP for the creation and implementation of energy solutions.
Governor Brewer’s Office provides updates on Arizona’s ARRA programs at www.azrecovery.gov.