Metamaterial's PV tech for cars gets USD 4.3m from Canadian govt

The Canadian government is making an investment of CAD 5.4 million (USD 4.3m/EUR 3.7m) to support Metamaterial Technologies Inc (MTI) in its work on a solar cell technology for use in hybrid vehicles.

The funds come through Sustainable Development Technology Canada and will allow MTI to speed up and expand research and development (R&D) for the transportation industry, Darren Fisher, MP for Dartmouth-Cole Harbour, announced Thursday on behalf of Navdeep Bains, Canada's innovation minister.

MTI’s metaSOLAR product relies on a light-weight silicon-based solar photovoltaic (PV) cell technology. The company uses lithographically printed nanostructures to reduce the thickness of solar cells and still keep their efficiency above 20%. The cells are flexible enough to be used on curved surfaces, MTI explains.

“I am thrilled this is being developed in our own backyard and will be used in hybrid solar-powered vehicles,” MP Darren Fisher commented. He further said this project could create well-paying middle-class jobs in Dartmouth and help prepare Nova Scotians for a cleaner energy economy.

The investment in MTI comes to back a CAD-17.9-million project to develop the solar technology, supported by industry leaders such as Enel Green Power and Lockheed Martin, and the Dalhousie University, the California Institute of Technology and Stanford University.

(CAD 1 = USD 0.81/EUR 0.68)

Choose your newsletter by Renewables Now. Join for free!