Solar energy group (C-9 Corp.) in Kingston, NY to get $4 million in federal funds
Kingston, August 7, 2007
Source: poughkeepsiejournal.com
http://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070807/NEWS01/70807023
Rep. Maurice Hinchey, D-Hurley, has secured a $4 million investment from the House of Represntatives for research and development at the planned Solar Energy Consortium in Kingston. The funds will be directed to C-9 Corporation, a company that plans to conduct its solar operation in partnership with consortium. Hinchey secured the funds for C-9 Corporation as part of the Defense Appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2008, which cleared the House on Sunday.
“These funds from Congress are critical to our goal of establishing Kingston as a national center for solar energy research and development,” Hinchey said. “C9 will use this money to work with TSEC and perfect new solar products for our military, which will also be applicable for use in commercial products for all Americans. Bringing C9 into the fold allows The Solar Energy Consortium to have a link to the federal government for future contracts and grants, which will help the consortium grow and bring in new jobs.”
C-9 has a contract with the U.S. Department of Defense to develop Silicon Carbide-type semiconductors for the military. It is anticipated that the newly developed solar application technology will be used for civilian and commercial use as well. The company plans to conduct its solar operation out of FALA Technologies, Inc in Kingston and will collaborate with TSEC and serve as a link between the consortium and the federal government for future partnerships.
“Thanks to Congressman Hinchey, these funds will help C9 and FALA Technologies perfect the needed research and development for silicon carbide-based solar and semiconductor products” said Frank Falatyn, FALA President and CEO. “FALA Technologies is very excited to utilize our extensive 60 year background in semiconductor equipment development work to now use these same skills in partnership with C9 researchers to create next-generation solar cell devices using this unique, new silicon carbide technology. Providing the R&D and production equipment to produce these new advanced solar cells is only the first step. With the future R&D assistance of The Solar Energy Consortium, these cells can be turned into solar modules and products that will have widespread use in DOD and civilian applications – with the goal that many of these new modules and solar products be manufactured in the Hudson Valley and throughout NYS. None of this would be possible without the tremendous support of Congressman Hinchey”
Kevin Donegan, president & CEO of C9 Corporation, said, “C9 Corporation solar applications will be based in Kingston. We look forward to working with FALA Technologies to conduct the needed silicon carbide research and development to produce tool sets that will make solar/semiconductor related silicon carbide products. C9 Corporation also looks forward to working with TSEC to perfect these solar technologies. Without Congressman Hinchey’s leadership, none of these future solar applications would be possible. Again, we thank Congressman Hinchey for helping us secure these funds.”