Ohio company commercializes new solar power conversion system

A solar array gathers sunlight for electricity. But something has to convert that energy from direct current to alternating current before it can be fed into an electric power grid. In an interview with hiVelocity, Toledo-based Nextronex Power Systems shared it has come up with a simpler and more efficient way of doing that..

Nextronex's target customers are utility-size solar installations. While competition is stiff, Peter Gerhardinger, the company's chief technology officer, says Nextronex has an advantage over suppliers that provide only inverters -- the box that converts DC to AC.

The resulting cabinet is smaller than most in the industry and can be easily installed. The Nextronex system uses multiple inverters that switch on and off as energy from the sun ebbs and flows during the day, resulting in less loss of power than typical one-box systems.

Nextronex's system is in use currently at the 180th Air National Guard base in Toledo and at a site in Roswell New Mexico, with another three projects nearing implementation. The company has received $1.4 million local investments, including those from the Science, Technology and Innovation Enterprises and Rocket Ventures, the venture capital arm of the Regional Growth Partnership.

This is just one example of Ohio's advanced energy and environmental technologies industry. The industry encompasses research and development, manufacturing of solar, wind, biomass, clean coal, fuel cells, hydroelectric, geothermal, storage facilities that promote better utilization of renewable energy resources and other energy generating processes along with remediation and environmental engineering, research, testing and control systems.

Read the full story from hiVelocity to find out more about Nextronex and Ohio's advanced energy industry.

Source:
hiVelocity

Ohio Leads the U.S. in Advanced Energy Growth

Both Site Selection Magazine and Pew Charitable Trust have recognized Ohio for leading the nation in advanced energy job creation, company expansions and new locations.

Factors leading to Ohio's success include:

• A firm state-commitment that includes one of the nation's most aggressive renewable portfolio standards (RPS) and industry-specific incentive programs.
• Cutting edge innovation unique to Ohio's university system and non-profit organizations.
• A history of manufacturing excellence making way for an existing supply chain and green-collar workforce.
• A prime market for power generation thanks to a location within 600 miles of 60% of the U.S. population and a robust distribution grid.
• The lowest tax rates in the Midwest.

Ohio's advanced energy and environmental technologies industry includes companies that offer products and services that are based on the production of energy and environmental improvement. The scope of Ohio's advanced energy and environmental technologies industry encompasses research and development, manufacturing of solar, wind, biomass, clean coal, fuel cells, hydroelectric, geothermal, storage facilities that promote better utilization of renewable energy resources and other energy generating processes along with remediation and environmental engineering, research, testing and control systems. Whether it's in these fields or others—batteries, efficient lighting, advanced coal, bioenergy, nuclear—Ohio is the place to grow your business in advanced energy.

Ohio’s Public-Private VC Programs Offer Key to Growth

Experts in venture capital and early stage investing say Ohio’s 2010 venture capital success is dependent on the combination of public programs such as Ohio Third Frontier, coupled with private venture capital investments throughout the state.

A recent report issued by the Brookings Institution cites programs such as the Ohio Third Frontier, an unprecedented and bipartisan commitment to create new technology-based products, companies, industries, and jobs, as successful complements to private venture capital funding to encourage innovative start-up companies, entrepreneurship, and business development.

Read more about Ohio's formula for entrepreneurial and growth success.

Ohio Ranks Number One For Fourth Consecutive Year

It's not surprising to executives who live and work in Ohio that Site Selection magazine has awarded Ohio with the annual Governor's Cup Award for the fourth year in a row.

The Governor's Cup Award is based on the number of private capital investments for new or expanded facilities that involved an investment of at least $1 million, created a minimum of 50 new jobs or added at least 20,000 square feet of new floor area. Ohio came in first place with 381 projects. Texas ranks second in the nation with 374 projects, followed by Michigan (371), Pennsylvania (333) and Tennessee (234).

There are many reasons why Ohio continues to be the ideal place to establish or grow a business but three key reasons include the purposeful redesign of Ohio's business climate, the state's world-class assets in advanced design, advanced materials and advanced manufacturing; and focused academic support that enables business success.

Read more about the award and why Ohio continues to beat out all the other states in the nation in the race for new business.

Cincinnati Leads the Nation in Green Building Innovations

With Cincinnati leading the pack, Ohio is emerging as a leader in the green building movement. Changing demographics and lifestyles are making green choices more popular, and the success of projects in Cincinnati shows that the future of building in Ohio is about making it green, building sustainable and competitive industries in the region.

Chad Edwards is 2010 president-elect of the US Green Building Council Cincinnati Regional Chapter and an architect with Emersion DESIGN in Cincinnati, whose office is certified LEED Platinum, the highest green rating available. He says Ohio's green business expansion started in 2004 with initiatives to build new schools to LEED standards. In fact, Ohio was one of the first states to mandate LEED construction for schools. As a result of Ohio’s leadership in the area, Ohio now has more LEED certified schools than California, Washington, Oregon, Texas, New Mexico and Florida combined.

Click here to learn more about Cincinnati’s green building boom.