Kaptur Dedicates New "Sun-to-Fuel" Prototype AT UT's National Transportation Center
KAPTUR DEDICATES NEW "SUN-TO-FUEL" PROTOTYPE AT UT'S NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION CENTER
Sep 30, 2005
Part of Effort to Provide Non-Polluting, Renewable Sources of Fuels
TOLEDO - Building on the efforts to create a national transportation center at the University of Toledo, U.S. Representative Marcy Kaptur (OH-9) today dedicated the installation of a 12 kW photovoltaic (PV) tracking array outside of the University's Alternative Energy Incubator at 2600 Dorr Street at Westwood, the old EISC building. This latest initiative will allow for further research, development and manufacturing on alternative energy systems and hopes to increase public awareness of the benefits and possibilities of alternative energy technologies.
Within a year, the University expects to build a fuel-cell-powered utility vehicle for the campus, using hydrogen from PV array and the photo-electrochemical (PEC) generation of hydrogen modules.
"This array is the next step toward freedom from dependence on imported petroleum products through the use of non-polluting and renewable fuel-powered transportation systems," said Kaptur. "The University of Toledo has done an excellent job of helping us move the technology to where it is today, taking the critical steps forward for the development of a transportation industry in Northwest Ohio and in making us, as a nation, energy independent."
Kaptur joined President Dr. Dan Johnson, Al Compaan of the Physics and Astronomy Department, and Frank Calzonetti, Vice Provost for Research and Economic Development at the UT.
The 12kW array consists of 210 modules manufactured in Perrysburg by First Solar and installed by Advanced DG of Maumee. The PV panels are a second-generation type of solar electric panels that utilize a thin film of semiconductor coating on ordinary glass plates.
Kaptur directed funding from the U.S. Department of Energy to the initiative, "Production of Hydrogen for Clean and Renewable Sources of Energy for Fuel Cell Vehicles" through the PV-hydrogen program administered through the National Renewable Energy Lab. The federal earmark was for $992,000 in Fiscal Year 2003. The array was partially funded with $50,000 by the Ohio Department of Development's Office of Energy Efficiency Energy Loan Fund grant program to the University.
http://www.kaptur.house.gov/PressRelease.aspx?NewsID=1441