UT to Sign Incubation Lease with German Solar Firm
Thanks to a meeting at an international energy conference in Abu Dhabi, The University of Toledo will be helping ship jobs from overseas to Toledo, Ohio.
Peter Fischer, CEO of the German start up TecnoSunSolar, will sign lease papers for space in UT’s Nitschke Technology Commercialization Complex at a news conference in the complex’s lobby Thursday, April 7, at 9 a.m. Tom Crothers, deputy mayor for external affairs, will join Fischer and UT President Lloyd Jacobs to celebrate the signing.
TecnoSunSolar makes solar panel supports, called trackers, that move with the sun during the day, maximizing the panel’s efficiency.
“This is precisely the role that great universities are called upon to play,” said Megan Reichert, UT director of incubation. “By maximizing our research strengths and engaging the world around us, we havefound a partner across the globe who decided to base his American operations in Toledo, Ohio.”
Fischer met UT’s delegation at the World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi in January and said he was impressed with the presentation made by Reichert, Dr. Frank Calzonetti and their team both in terms of the solar expertise at UT and in Toledo, and in terms of the manufacturing and supply chain partners. Calzonetti is vice president for research and economic development.
“Toledo is where we want to enter the American market,” Fischer said. “Toledo will be the site of our U.S. headquarters, Toledo will be where we produce our trackers, and we will use this region’s logistics to transport our trackers throughout the world.”
Initially, Fischer said he is looking to hire a CEO and other senior leaders for the American operation. He plans to set up a demonstration and training site in the Nitschke complex and, as the companygrows, establish a headquarters in the city.
“In Germany, the idea of universities providing incubator services does not exist,” Fischer said. “This is an ideal setting for us to develop the American market and to engage local manufacturing and supply chain firms to help us create and ship our trackers.”
Toledo is also ideal, Fischer said, because its existing solar infrastructure, from panel creation to panel installation, will provide solar partners and expertise locally.
“TecnoSunSolar is an ideal example of why we are engaging the global solar and alternative energy community,” said Calzonetti. “Toledo’s international reputation in these fields is growing rapidly. People are taking notice.”
Press Release Contact Name: Jon Strunk
Press Release Contact Email: [email protected]
Organization Name: University of Toledo