For those of us old enough to remember, Toledo, Ohio Toledo is known as the Glass City because of its long history of glass manufacturing, Owens-Illinois, Owens Corning, Libbey Incorporated, Pilkington North America (formerly Libbey-Owens-Ford), and Therma-Tru were major manufacturers in the city. In addition, Jeep headquarters is located there and for sports enthusiasts, Toledo is home to the Toledo Mud Hens, AAA baseball team. Belying its Rust Belt history, the city saw growth in "green jobs" related to solar energy in the 2000s. The University of Toledo and Bowling Green State University received Ohio grants for solar energy research. First Solar opened plants in Toledo and nearby Perrysville. First Solar became a leading provider of utility scale solar systems that were developed in the early 2010s and remains a major force in that industry sector.
In early June of 2020 a new entrant in the solar panel industry has sprung up in Toledo with a focus on non-utility scale and residential installment and systems as clients for its Cadmium Teleuride thin film product. With significant support from the City, the University of Toledo and the Toledo Port Authority (a unique model particular to Ohio cities), Toledo Solar opened the first Cadmium Telluride solar plant in the U.S. focusing on the residential and non-utility solar markets.
This development, led by venture capital group “The Atlas Venture Group” of Cleveland represents a great example of the redevelopment of U.S. manufacturing and technology deployment envisaged in the bipartisan, bicameral Endless Frontier Act,, Introduced by, U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.), Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Congressman Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), and Congressman Mike Gallagher (R-Wis.). This initiative seeks to “solidify the United States’ leadership in scientific and technological innovation through increased investments in the discovery, creation, and commercialization of technology fields of the future. The bipartisan legislation further targets support to ensure new research investments translate into new American companies, manufacturing and high-tech jobs, and opportunities for regions across the country to become global centers of emerging technology industries.” Based on developments, and with a tip of the hat to its former industrial base, Toledo seems to be a major entrant into the technological development field and a model for other older “rust belt” cities looking to recapture their former manufacturing prowess as envisaged in the Endless Frontier Act,.
See the link below for more information on Toledo Solar.
https://www.focustechnica.com/new-cdte-panel-manufacturer/
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