WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) announced that the Department of Energy (DOE) has awarded two Solar Manufacturing Incubator grants totaling $16,100,000 to First Solar and Toledo Solar in Perrysburg.

“Thanks to investments we made in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act, we are in the midst of an American renewable energy boom that is creating jobs and driving innovation and opportunity for communities in Ohio,” said Brown. “With these investments we are continuing to position Ohio as leader in solar energy innovation and manufacturing – creating domestic energy supply chains and increasing American energy independence.”

Funding from DOE includes:

• $7,300,000 to First Solar of Perrysburg to develop a new residential rooftop product that is more efficient than modules on the market today.
• $8,800,000 to Toledo Solar of Perrysburg will demonstrate the application of semitransparent cadmium telluride (CdTe) solar panels to windows – addressing a new market for thin-film solar devices.

“For over two decades, First Solar has advanced American leadership in thin film photovoltaics, investing in innovation and high-value manufacturing and establishing a proven template for sustainably scaling domestic solar manufacturing in the United States. This funding from the US Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Office will support our efforts to develop the next generation of solar technologies that will power America’s transition to a decarbonized electricity system and energy sector,” said Markus Gloeckler, Chief Technology Officer at First Solar.

“This award helps Toledo Solar continue to bring domestic solar technology to the evolving landscape of new energy markets, while creating many new next generation manufacturing jobs. In partnership with the University of Toledo, The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and Alpen HPP, we are accelerating commercialization of our CdTe-based, building integrated photovoltaic windows,” said Aaron Bates, CEO of Toledo Solar.

“The University of Toledo is proud to partner with Toledo Solar in this critical endeavor. Toledo has always been the Nation’s hotbed for solar energy technology development. The work we do together will help our nation achieve energy security with renewable sources,” said Dr. Michael Heben, Director of the Wright Center of Photovoltaics Innovation and Commercialization at the University of Toledo.

The Solar Manufacturing Incubator Program will advance the commercialization of innovative product ideas to boost the U.S. solar supply chain. Investments from the program will test and demonstrate solutions for increasing domestic manufacturing of CdTe technologies.

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