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Building on the success of the new residential Commonwealth Solar Hot Water program, which has awarded rebates for 110 solar hot water projects at homes across Massachusetts since its opening in February 2011, the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) today unveiled a new rebate program to help building owners finance commercial size solar hot water projects.
“This new solar hot water initiative will put clean, solar technology within the reach of more businesses across the Commonwealth, building on the stunning success of existing MassCEC solar power incentive programs and locking in long-term energy savings for commercial and industrial building owners,” said Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs Richard K. Sullivan Jr., who chairs the MassCEC board of directors. 
“This program will continue our solar revolution here in the Commonwealth by helping building owners assess the benefits of installing solar hot water as a means to managing rising energy costs,” said MassCEC Executive Director Patrick Cloney. “This program is just one of many, helping people throughout Massachusetts adopt clean energy technologies.”
The Commonwealth Solar Hot Water Commercial Pilot Program complements the current Commonwealth Solar Hot Water Residential Pilot Program by providing funding to commercial and large multi-family building owners interested in installing solar hot water (SHW) systems. The program will offer $1 million in grants through a non-competitive application process for SHW pre-design studies and construction projects.  
Starting this week, MassCEC will begin accepting applications for pre-design study grants for commercial and large multi-family building owners interested in installing solar hot water. Eligible applicants can receive up to $10,000, with a required a cost-share of 25 percent for non-public commercial entities. No cost share is required for public entities.
Click Here To Access Application Documents for the Commonwealth Solar Hot Water Commercial Program
In September 2011, MassCEC will begin accepting applications for design and construction grants, which will be structured similar to the residential rebates in which rebates are based on project size and the solar collector’s efficiency rating. 
Solar hot water systems generate heat from sunlight to make hot water. Roof mounted solar ‘collectors’ for hot water systems look very similar to solar photovoltaic (PV) panels, which generate electricity rather than hot water.  A solar hot water system can be connected to a home’s existing hot water tank to heat water and usually provides 50 percent to 75 percent of total household hot water needs. Some solar hot water systems can also connect with the heating system to provide space heating.  Because about 20 percent of the energy a consumer uses at home goes to heating hot water, solar hot water systems can generate significant savings by decreasing the amount of gas, oil or electricity used to heat the water. 
To qualify, a resident and project site must be an electric customer of NSTAR, National Grid, Unitil, or Western Massachusetts Electric Co., or of a municipal power company that participates in MassCEC's Renewable Energy Trust Fund. These include Ashburnham, Templeton, Holden, Holyoke and Russell. The Commonwealth Solar Hot Water program is funded with $1 million from MassCEC’s Renewable Energy Trust Fund. 
In the first five months of the Commonwealth Solar Hot Water Residential Pilot Program, MassCEC has awarded more than $200,000 in rebates, which has helped to sell almost $1.6 million of solar hot water systems in Massachusetts. These 110 projects total over 10,000 square feet of solar collectors, equivalent to over 620,000 kWh in expected annual energy production. A total of 35 primary installers have successfully submitted an application through the program.
As a result of the Commonwealth Solar photovoltaic rebate programs launched in 2008 and American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding for solar on water treatment facilities and other public buildings, Massachusetts has seen a more than 30-fold increase in solar PV installations since 2007. As of August 2011 there are more than 57 MW of solar energy installed in Massachusetts, and an additional 36 MW under contract for installation, up from 3.5 MW when Governor Patrick took office.
CommSolar rebate programs also helped spur a vibrant solar industry in Massachusetts. According to a MassCEC survey of clean energy companies, employment in solar manufacturing, installation, and services has increased nearly three times since Governor Patrick first took office, and solar manufacturing jobs alone have close to tripled from 2007 to 2010.
To find out more about solar hot water, see the “Solar Hot Water Factsheet” at www.masscec.com/solarhotwater.

MTPV, LLC, a clean energy semiconductor chip company, announced today that it raised $6.5 million in the initial closing of its series B financing. The round, which was led by pre-existing investor Spinnaker Capital, LLC of Boston, included an investment from Applied Ventures, LLC, the venture capital arm of Applied Materials, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMAT). Also investing in the series B financing were the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, Austin-based Ensys Capital, LLC, and several existing MTPV investors.
MTPV creates semiconductor chips that convert heat directly into electricity. Similar to a solar panel that converts sunlight into electricity, MTPV chips are able to convert any source of heat into electricity with breakthrough efficiency and power.
“MTPV represents an intersection between the semiconductor and energy worlds, two large markets that align well with Applied Materials’ core expertise,” said J. Christopher Moran, Corporate Vice President and General Manager of Applied Ventures. “We are pleased that this investment will be used to support the development of products for making alternative energy and environmental solutions more accessible and affordable.”
The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC), also a Series B investor in MTPV, has been a long- time supporter of the company. “MassCEC is dedicated to accelerating the success of clean energy development and implementation while creating high-quality jobs and long-term economic growth in Massachusetts,” said Patrick Cloney MassCEC’s Executive Director. “Helping companies like MTPV take another step closer to commercialization will not only benefit our local economy, it will bring a valuable and important energy choice to the world.”
Bob DiMatteo, MTPV’s CEO, founded MTPV after the original breakthrough research at MIT. Since then, MTPV has added many patents to its credit, scaled the technology, and is now beta testing its first commercial prototypes. “Attracting new investors to our venture is a wonderful validation of the team’s hard work,” said DiMatteo. “We are also fortunate to have a very dedicated set of existing investors that continue to believe in the team and our promise for success.”
MTPV expects to complete the financing by selling an additional $2 million in equity within the next few months. The company will use the funds from the Series B financing to expand its current beta testing and scale its manufacturing capabilities.
About MTPV, LLC 
MTPV is a clean energy semiconductor chip company using its breakthrough technology to harness the world’s waste heat and convert it to electricity. For more information, visit http://www.mtpv.com.
About Applied Ventures 
Applied Ventures, LLC, a subsidiary of Applied Materials, Inc., invests in early stage technology companies with high growth potential that provide a window on technologies that advance or complement Applied Materials' core expertise. Applied Ventures' investments help develop technologies and markets that provide natural extensions of Applied Materials' businesses and can stimulate the growth of applications for its products and services. Applied Materials, Inc. is the global leader in providing innovative equipment, services and software to enable the manufacture of advanced semiconductor, flat panel display and solar photovoltaic products. Learn more athttp://www.appliedmaterials.com.

The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) and the Massachusetts Technology Transfer Center (MTTC) have launched the fourth solicitation for the MassCEC Catalyst Program, which is aimed at commercializing the game-changing clean energy technologies coming out of Massachusetts’ world-class research institutions.
“Massachusetts’ outstanding academic and research institutions – and the innovations they produce - are integral to the growth of our clean energy sector. MassCEC’s Catalyst Program provides a leg up toward commercialization of these technologies and I look forward to seeing the next round of funded projects,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Richard K. Sullivan Jr., who chairs the MassCEC board of directors.
“MassCEC’s Catalyst program showcases the Commonwealth’s vibrant community of passionate technologists who are working to propel clean energy technologies from the research lab to the global marketplace,” said MassCEC Executive Director Patrick Cloney.
The MassCEC Catalyst Program, which is funded by MassCEC and managed by MTTC, awards early-stage researchers grant awards up to $40,000 to help demonstrate the commercial viability of their clean energy technology. In September, MassCEC’s Board of Directors approved funding for two rounds of the MassCEC Catalyst Program for fiscal year 2012.
“The proof of concept funds offered through MassCEC’s Catalyst program really help researchers at Massachusetts universities and research institutes move their technologies from the lab bench towards commercial products.  We are pleased that the MassCEC board recently awarded additional funding so that we can continue this important program.” said MTTC Director Abi Barrow.
Recipients must use funding for projects that move their technologies towards commercialization. This includes gathering initial data to demonstrate proof of concept, how the technology compares to existing technologies and competitive advantages of the technology, or to develop a prototype for the technology. The goal of the MassCEC Catalyst Program is to help technologies progress along the development curve to a point where additional commercialization funding can be obtained.
“For a small research institution like Boston College, external proof of concept funds are important in helping faculty advanced projects.  Many innovations made with basic research support are immature when disclosed to my office and need to be developed into a comprehensive asset to attract significant capital investment,” said Boston College Director, Office for Technology Transfer and Licensing Catherine L. Ives. “The Mass CEC Catalyst program provides this critical funding and has been a key component of developing our new battery technology.” 
“The MassCEC Catalyst award has been extremely helpful in providing the resources necessary to demonstrate the commercial feasibility of our novel technology,” said Catalyst grantee and Western New England University Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering Bart Lipkens. “We have built and tested a prototype separation system at a larger scale and shown that our technology is scalable.  Through the MTTC’s Platform meeting we were provided an opportunity to pitch our new company to a group of entrepreneurs and venture capital investors.” 
To be eligible for an award a researcher must be a principal investigator, the technology must be disclosed to a researcher’s host institution and the host institution must be in Massachusetts.
The first deadline for applicants is October 19, 2011. Application directions are available at: http://www.mattcenter.org/events/grants-home.html
For more information, contact Michele Bernier at the MTTC at
mbernier@umassp.edu';
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The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) announced significant growth in the Massachusetts clean energy economy, which now employs more than 64,000 people, according to the 2011 Massachusetts Clean Energy Industry Report released today. The report identified 4,909 clean energy companies across the state that saw a 6.7 percent increase in jobs between July 2010 to July 2011, and expect employment growth rate of 15.2 percent from July 2011 to July 2012.
“The data reported by MassCEC today are good news for the Massachusetts economy and our environment,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Richard K. Sullivan Jr., who chairs the MassCEC Board of Directors. “Through Governor Patrick’s vision and supported by MassCEC’s innovative programs, the Commonwealth has become fertile ground for growing a clean energy future and we are well on our way.”
The 2011 Massachusetts Clean Energy Industry Report, which includes a breakdown of company and employment data by technology sector and geographic region, and information on workforce trends was prepared by BW Research Partnership on behalf of MassCEC. The report identified 4,909 clean energy companies in the state. According to a survey of these clean energy companies, 64,310 people are directly involved in work related to the state’s clean energy sector, representing 1.5 percent of all jobs in the Commonwealth. 
Click Here to Download the Full Report. 
The survey found a large number of firms in varied industries - ranging from construction and manufacturing to research and development - reporting activity and employment in the clean energy sector. Additionally the report identified a large number of companies that don’t necessarily identify themselves as clean energy companies first, but directly engage in activities related to the clean energy cluster - showing that clean energy penetrates numerous sectors of the Massachusetts economy.
“The findings announced today prove that our vibrant community of talented people, world-class academic and research institutions, and supportive government leaders together make the Commonwealth a smart place to start or grow a clean energy business,” said MassCEC Executive Director Patrick Cloney.  “Thanks to Governor Patrick’s leadership, we are making clean energy a marquee industry in Massachusetts, just like life sciences and IT.”
For the purposes of the report, a clean energy firm is defined as a company directly involved with researching, developing, producing, manufacturing, distributing or implementing components, goods or services related to renewable energy, energy efficiency or conservation, smart grid, energy storage, carbon management, and/or electric or hybrid vehicles. BW Research Partnership administered surveys online and by telephone to a list of employers known to be engaged in the clean energy industry, as well as to a representative, clustered, random sample of companies from the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) industries identified by the Bureau of Labor Statistics as being potentially related to the renewable energy, energy efficiency, and alternative transportation sectors.
The random sampling component of the research methodology used in this study is unique compared to past studies of jobs in the clean energy economy, in that data were collected from firms outside of the clean energy sector that have employees working in clean energy, as well as from businesses identified as clean energy companies. This methodology allows MassCEC to fully quantify employment data for the Massachusetts clean energy industry.
In total, researchers made more than 29,000 telephone calls and sent more than 4,800 emails to employers, yielding 1,401 survey responses with a margin of error of +/- 2.5 percent at a 95 percent confidence level.
"Unlike most recent studies of the clean energy cluster, this report includes random sampling of employers to determine the breadth and depth of its penetration into mainstream industries such as manufacturing, construction, and agriculture,” said BW Research Partnership Principal Phil Jordan. “MassCEC recognized the importance of having reliable and accurate data on this important cluster, which required a significant data collection effort. This effort, together with strong participation from the employers in the state, provides us with survey data that has a very low margin of error at a 95 percent confidence level. This low margin of error is almost unheard of in studies of emerging fields like clean energy."

The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) today announced that 162 residents or businesses contracted to install solar photovoltaic (PV) systems through the Solarize Massachusetts pilot, which launched in May 2011. These residents will install a total of 829 kilowatts (kW) of solar in the pilot towns of Harvard, Hatfield, Scituate, and Winchester.
“Solar power is the fastest growing segment of the Massachusetts renewable energy industry and continuing that growth is a cornerstone of Governor Patrick’s clean energy agenda, including our nation-leading Clean Energy and Climate Plan for 2020,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Richard K. Sullivan Jr., who chairs the MassCEC board. “Already named “Green Communities” by the Department of Energy Resources, these four towns have taken clean energy leadership a step further – demonstrating the power of using community connections to catalyze wider adoption of solar energy and greater energy independence.”
Solar power has expanded dramatically since Governor Patrick took office in 2007 – growing from just 3.5 megawatts (MW) installed statewide then to nearly 100 MW now either installed or under contract today.  This growth is supporting a growing solar power industry. The number of solar installers operating in Massachusetts has grown from 50 in 2007 to more than 250 today. Overall, clean energy jobs are growing in Massachusetts according to the 2011 Massachusetts Clean Energy Industry Report, which finds that clean energy jobs grew 6.7 percent between July 2010 and July 2011. Solar energy is the most prominent renewable energy technology area for Massachusetts clean energy companies, with more than two in three renewable energy employers working with solar energy technologies.
Below are the results for each Solarize Massachusetts town:
Harvard
75 solar PV systems for 402.56 kW
Hatfield
22 solar PV systems for 147 kW
Scituate
30 solar PV systems for 115.2 kW
Winchester
35 solar PV systems 164.6 kW 
Before the launch of Solarize Mass Harvard had 13 residential systems installed, Hatfield had five residential systems installed, Winchester had four residential systems installed and Scituate had seven residential systems installed. The solar capacity installed through Solarize Massachusetts will save 651 metric tons of CO2 annually. During their lifetimes, these PV systems will save over 13,000 metric tons of CO2, equivalent to the annual emissions of more than 2,500 cars.
“These communities saw the opportunity in this exciting new model and led the way, demonstrating once again what can happen at the grassroots level to achieve the Commonwealth’s clean energy goals,” said Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources Commissioner Mark Sylvia.  “Residents are choosing PV systems in their homes not only to reduce their carbon footprint, but also because it made good economic sense.  Solarize Mass and the results achieved are a true example of how we are going to create a cleaner energy future for Massachusetts – community by community.”
“The Solarize Massachusetts pilot has helped residents and business owners in these four towns adopt solar energy as a viable way to manage energy costs and reduce dependence on fossil fuels while allowing us to teach more people about the benefits of clean energy,” said MassCEC Chief Executive Officer Patrick Cloney. “I congratulate Harvard, Hatfield, Scituate and Winchester in their achievements in making their town a strong part of our clean energy future.”
As part of the Solarize Mass pilot MassCEC issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for bulk purchasing business models from solar integrators in which installation costs are based on a tiered structure that provide lower costs with increased capacity of solar installed within the community. New England Breeze was selected as the Solarize installer for Harvard, Munro Distributing Company, Inc. was selected as the Solarize installer for Scituate, and Real Goods Solar, formerly Alteris Renewables, Inc was selected as the Solarize installer for Hatfield and Winchester. 
“I am extremely proud to have been part of Harvard’s enthusiastic response to Solarize. The community produced a resounding success and a legacy that will extend beyond the 75 systems purchased under the program,” said Solarize Mass Community Coordinator in Harvard Jim Elkind. “The community education and enthusiasm from Solarize have catalyzed Harvard residents to create a community solar garden for those that could not Solarize. It’s tremendous that the Solarize program, an unanticipated benefit of having become a Green Community last year, will benefit so many residents for years to come.”
“I’m delighted that thirty Scituate households were able to take advantage of this program,” said Scituate Town Planner Laura Harbottle.
“Hatfield is pleased to have been selected to be a part of this important Solarize Pilot Program sponsored by the MassCEC that will help pioneer the way for all Massachusetts residents and business owners to invest in Solar electric power,” said Hatfield Energy Committee Chair Christopher Smith. “The program has shown that even for a small town like Hatfield with a part time and volunteer energy committee, no media outreach, other than local access TV, we could attract an enormous amount of interest from townspeople. When we began in May of this year we thought we would be happy to sign up only 50 kW of mostly small systems, but when we drove home the message of group buying and the many incentives, both state and federal, the final number was almost 148 kW — nearly triple our projection. Hatfield applauds the Governor's continued support and investment in alternative and energy conservation.”
“Winchester homeowners, businesses and government are lowering their energy spending and carbon emissions and we know that solar power will play an important part in achieving their goals,” said Winchester Board of Selectman member Tom Howley. “Participating in the Solarize Massachusetts program has jump started our efforts to help our community take advantage of solar technology. With 35 new installations Winchester has taken a significant step towards becoming a solar community.”
“New England Breeze Solar is pleased to have been part of this unprecedented success,” said New England Breeze President Mark Durrenberger. “The community residents responded enthusiastically to the program and appreciated our responsiveness and willingness to answer questions.  We hope to see the success of this program replicated in communities and organizations across the state.”
“We were very encouraged from the results of the Solarize Massachusetts pilot program. The key element was the proactive approach the local organizations did to drive the promotion of the program throughout their community,” said Jim Oliva, Director of Sales Northeast region at Real Goods Solar, formerly Alteris Renewables. “As momentum built and people signed up for their solar projects, you could see the communities enthusiasm spread. Also, for a pilot, it was great to see that there were very few bugs to work out throughout the program. MassCEC did a commendable job managing it. We hope to see this program evolve to more communities in the near future.”
“We are grateful for the opportunity to participate in the Solarize Massachusetts pilot program,” said Glenn Maltais, Vice President Market Development and Sustainability at Munro Distributing Company, Inc. “By all measures, this program was a success and a great example of what can be accomplished when public and private sectors work together. Hopefully this is just the first step for the Solarize Mass initiative.”
“Solarize Mass is exactly the type of innovative programming the CEC was created to develop and implement. It's a program that is good for the economy, the community and the environment. I look forward to seeing the program replicated across Massachusetts,” said Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy.
Senator Benjamin B. Downing.
“The Solarize Massachusetts program has been a great success in the town of Harvard, with local residents and businesses launching 75 new solarization projects in a short amount of time. The community of Harvard has been a leader in environmental conservation, and the town as a whole has really embraced renewable energy programs as the way of the future,” said State Senator Jamie Eldridge.
"This program provides residents and businesses a means of reducing energy costs while supporting the administration's goal of increasing the Commonwealth's use of renewable energy. I applaud the individuals and businesses that have come to take advantage of this technology, and I look forward to other communities taking advantage of this technology in the future," said State Senator Robert Hedlund.  
“The Solarize Massachusetts pilot program has been a great success for Winchester and for the Commonwealth as a whole,” said State Senator Patricia Jehlen. “Hopefully this program will be expanded to other parts of Massachusetts so that we can continue our transition to cleaner energy sources.”
“It's great to see so many residents of Hatfield taking a leading role in helping bring about a clean energy future for our Commonwealth,” State Senator Stan Rosenberg.
“Solarize Mass in Harvard exemplifies how state agencies, private organizations, and communities can come together to create a successful program that will benefit individuals and the community as a whole,” said State Representative Jennifer Benson. “These 75 PV installations will help lower residents' utility bills, increase the state's use of clean energy and create jobs in the community. I am pleased that Harvard has been at the forefront of this effort and hope that they will serve as a model for other towns.”
“I am thrilled that the residents of Scituate have been so enthusiastic with their commitment to green energy,” said State Representative Garrett Bradley.  “I hope that this success will develop solar energy programs across the Commonwealth.”
"Scituate has long been a leader in implementing clean and efficient energy sources, and I’m proud to say that this pilot program has been a great fit.  That 30 of our residents are taking advantage by installing these solar panels underscores the Town’s commitment to the environment and its future here in the commonwealth of Massachusetts as a clean energy leader,” said State Representative Jim Cantwell.
“It's great to see that one of the outcomes of the passage of the Green Jobs Act in 2008 is residents of Hatfield promoting job creation and green energy production in their own households,” State Representative Peter V. Kocot.
“It has been great to see the enthusiastic response from Winchester residents and businesses who have seized this opportunity to install solar PV panels that will reduce their electricity bills and lower greenhouse gas emissions,” said State Representative Jason Lewis.
Solarize Massachusetts was launched in four pilot communities in Massachusetts this spring to encourage residents and business owners to adopt solar photovoltaic (PV) technology. MassCEC, in partnership with the Green Communities Division of the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) selected the communities of Harvard, Hatfield, Scituate, and Winchester to participate in the model, which leverages education, grassroots marketing, and group purchasing to accelerate the adoption of solar PV. MassCEC has provided education and marketing support to help the four communities implement a community-wide solar PV program for residential and small-scale commercial projects, and deploy bulk-purchasing business model to reduce costs.

The Commonwealth Solar Hot Water Residential Pilot Program was launched in February 2011 and was originally scheduled to be a one year pilot program.
However, the solar hot water industry has shown strong support for the program, and there is still a substantial amount of residential rebate funding available. Therefore, we'd like to announce the extension of the Commonwealth Solar Hot Water Residential Pilot Program through the end of June 2012, or until available funds (about $400,000) are expended.

In the meantime, we are working hard to develop a new, full-scale residential solar hot water program. We will send out further updates, and may solicit your feedback, on the development of a new program in the spring as the pilot program comes to a close.

Please continue submitting applications through PowerClerk, and please note that soon we will require all project completion forms to also be submitted through PowerClerk. We will send out a separate announcement next week about this transition.

If you have any questions, please contact the Commonwealth Solar Hot Water team at SolarHotWater@MassCEC.com.

Thank you for your continued support of MassCEC's Commonwealth Solar Hot Water Programs.

The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) and the Massachusetts Technology Transfer Center (MTTC) today announced that three clean energy researchers were awarded $40,000 in grants each through MassCEC’s Catalyst Program, which is aimed at commercializing game-changing clean energy technologies being developed in Massachusetts.

“Massachusetts’ outstanding academic and research institutions – and the innovations they produce - are integral to the growth of our clean energy sector and these investments give researchers a leg up toward commercialization,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Richard K. Sullivan Jr., who chairs the MassCEC board of directors. “Our clean energy economy is growing in Massachusetts thanks to these types of partnerships between government, academia and the private sector. I’m looking forward to seeing the results of these projects.”

MassCEC’s Catalyst Program, which is funded by MassCEC and managed by MTTC, launched its fifth solicitation for applications today. The program is now accepting applications for grants of up to $40,000 to help demonstrate the commercial viability of clean energy technologies. The program is now open to early-stage companies and research institutions located in Massachusetts.

“I’m thrilled to see another group of passionate technologists come through MassCEC’s Catalyst program, which has proven success in propelling clean energy technologies from the research lab to the commercial marketplace,” said MassCEC Chief Executive Officer Patrick Cloney. “By opening the program up to early-stage companies as well as researchers, we will have the ability to further the development of more clean energy technologies in the Commonwealth.”

“This awards program has been critical to researchers trying to move their technologies from initial discovery to prototype demonstration,” said Abi Barrow, Founding Director of MTTC which manages MassCEC’s Catalyst Program.  “It really helps them show the commercial viability of the invention”

Recipients must use the funding for projects that move their technologies towards commercialization. This includes gathering initial data to demonstrate proof of concept, how the technology compares to existing technologies and competitive advantages of the technology, or to develop a prototype for the technology. The goal of MassCEC’s Catalyst Program is to help technologies progress along the development curve to a point where additional commercialization funding can be obtained.

“MassCEC’s Catalyst Program provided a springboard that elevated the visibility of Dr.Bart Lipkens’ and Western New England University's novel acoustic filtration and separation technology, and helped in the creation of FloDesign Sonics Inc,” said FloDesign Sonics Inc. CEO Louis Masi. “The funding allowed us to hire three paid students and one additional full-time mechanical engineer, and the company continues to grow in Western Massachusetts.”

The following researchers will receive $40,000:

Vijaya Chalivendra, Ph.D., “Greener High Strength, Lightweight and Low Cost Structural Composites using Sustainable Natural Fibers”
University of Massachusetts Dartmouth’s Department of Mechanical Engineering
Chalivendra will use MassCEC Catalyst Program funding to fabricate light-weight, sustainable, energy efficient and natural jute fiber reinforced through thickness laminated composites. Researchers will then investigate the mechanical and fracture performance such as crack initiation of these novel composites. These fibers can decrease the weight of vehicles and thus decrease fuel consumption.

Matthew J. Panzer, Ph.D., “Ionogel Electrolytes for the Next Generation of Energy Storage”
Tufts University’s Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering
Panzer will use the MassCEC Catalyst Program funding to build an ionogel-based supercapacitor device prototype and to assess its energy storage and delivery capabilities. Ionic liquids offer many advantages for its use in energy storage devices such as batteries and supercapacitors, including safer operation due to their non-volatility as well as larger operating voltages. Tufts researchers have developed a method of creating a solid ionic liquid-containing (ionogel) electrolyte that possesses characteristics similar to those of the ionic liquid, but in a solid form that will not leak or spill. This ionogel could be the basis for a high-power supercapacitor inside an electric vehicle, providing burst power for acceleration and quick charging for a kinetic energy recovery system upon braking.

Carolyn W.T. Lee-Parsons, Ph.D., “Engineering Increased Biodiesel Productivity from Microalgae”
Northeastern University’s Department of Chemical Engineering/Chemistry and Chemical Biology
Researchers plan to use the funding to improve the economics of biodiesel production through cultivation of microalgae engineered with increased oil biosynthesis. The MassCEC Catalyst Program funding will allow researchers to apply the combined technologies of genetic engineering and bioanalysis to identify and manipulate biological targets to increase the production rate of biofuels from microalgae. 

To be eligible for an award an applicant must be a principal investigator, or an early stage company. Researchers applying must disclose their technology and their host institution, which must be located in Massachusetts. Early stage companies are defined as companies that have raised less than $200,000 in equity financings (grants can be unlimited), have four or fewer employees and have been incorporated for less than 18 months at the time of the application submission.

The first deadline for applicants is March 14, 2012. Application directions are available at: http://www.mattcenter.org/events/grants-home.html.

For more information, contact Michele Bernier at the MTTC at mbernier@umassp.edu or (774) 455-7278.
 

The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) and the New England Clean Energy Council (Council) today announced the launch of the 2012 Massachusetts Clean Energy Internship Program, which connect students throughout the Commonwealth to paid internships at Massachusetts-based clean energy companies.

“I am pleased to announce the second year of an exciting program that will help develop a generation of passionate leaders who will contribute to the Commonwealth’s clean energy industry and further the Patrick-Murray Administration’s goals for an energy efficient future,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Richard K. Sullivan Jr., who chairs the MassCEC board of directors.

Last year the Massachusetts Clean Energy Internship Program facilitated the placement of more than 117 students and recent graduates in summer internships at 70 clean energy companies across the state. As a result of the internship program, 20 students gained full time and part time employment, and more than 70 students are being considered for future employment. This program continues MassCEC’s commitment to supporting education and training opportunities that align with the Commonwealth’s clean energy goals and industry growth, while furthering the career goals of those considering career opportunities in clean energy.

Massachusetts-based clean energy companies that are looking to hire summer interns will be eligible for two interns, and receive internship stipends of up to $12 per hour, or a total of $4,800 for up to ten weeks for each intern. In addition to compensation, interns will gain meaningful employment experience such as networking opportunities, mentoring, and industry knowledge only gained from working within clean energy companies.

“This program helps local clean energy companies foster the Commonwealth’s dedicated workforce and student population,” said MassCEC Chief Executive Officer Patrick Cloney. “This program will help clean energy companies take advantage of that asset and enhance their talent pipleline, while training the next generation to be part of our clean energy future.”

“From brand new startups to established industry leaders, Massachusetts clean energy companies can offer students a wide variety of professional experiences,” said NECEC President Peter Rothstein. “This program will help prepare the next generation of clean energy leaders and continue to accelerate the Commonwealth’s clean energy economy”

Starting today, students will be able to post resumes and cover letters at ma.cleanenergyeducation.org. Clean energy companies will review applications in which they are interested and that meet the company’s internship needs. Companies will contact applicants directly for interviews.  There is no deadline for applications, but students are strongly encouraged to submit resumes and cover letters as soon as possible. Stipends will be committed to eligible clean energy companies on a first come-first serve basis as summer internship offers are made to suitable candidates.

7AC Technologies Inc., Woburn, MA, announces the completion of a $2.3M Series-A investment round led by the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC).
“We are delighted to announce this significant investment milestone which adds MassCEC to our existing investors CEVG and 1and12 Ventures” said Peter Vandermeulen, CEO and Founder of 7AC Technologies. “MassCEC’s involvement signals a strong vote of confidence in our technology and will enable us to execute the next phase of our commercialization plans which includes our first rooftop installations in the summer of 2012.”
“7AC is one of nearly 5,000 clean energy companies that make up the Commonwealth’s vibrant and growing clean energy sector,” said MassCEC Chief Executive Officer Patrick Cloney. “Through these early-stage investments in the development and commercialization of clean energy and energy efficiency technologies, MassCEC can help high-potential clean energy companies establish themselves in Massachusetts, which in turn attracts and retains critical talent, while bringing in other clean energy companies that are essential to the growth of Massachusetts’ clean energy cluster.”
“7AC Technologies epitomizes the type of innovative CleanTech startups that have made Massachusetts their home” said Arif Padaria, the Managing Director of Investments at theMassCEC.  “Having observed firsthand the impressive progress that 7AC has made towards bringing their highly disruptive technology to market we are delighted to be the lead investors in their Series-A round. Our participation will enable 7AC to grow their business and tap into the broad  talent pool of people and suppliers that exists here in Massachusetts.”