Sault Ste. Marie solar panel manufacturer Heliene is getting $1.36 million in federal loans for two clean technology projects.
Sault MP Terry Sheehan announced on Sept. 5 that FedNor would provide the company with a repayable contribution of $707,250 to help develop and pilot renewable electric vehicle charging stations with energy storage capacity. These fast-charging stations will work independently from the existing electrical power grid.
A second repayable contribution of $650,000 will be used to help develop a photovoltaic smart grid solution for home and commercial use. The hardware and software development project will help create intelligent modules that can increase the efficiency of power generation, enable remote monitoring, and react quickly to an increase in demand.
“We would like to thank the Government of Canada, through FedNor, for its continued support of our efforts to drive business growth through innovation,” Heliene president Martin Pochtaruk said in a news release.
“We take pride in being at the leading edge of clean technology, and helping position our community for growth and success.”
Launched in 2010, Heliene manufactures high-efficiency monocrystalline and polycrystalline solar photovoltaic modules at its Sault Ste. Marie plant.
Headquartered in the Sault, it has additional sales offices in Toronto, Calgary, Alta., New York, NY, and Minneapolis, Minn.
