Ohio isn't well known for its abundance of sunshine. And that's just fine for Replex Plastics.
The Mount Vernon-based supplier of domes and mirrors is working to commercialize solar components that utilize mirrors onto photovoltaic cells in areas that don't have optimal solar conditions. Places like Ohio.
The company � founded in 1991 � got its start manufacturing optical domes and mirrors. For the last two years, Replex has been tinkering with mirrors that collect solar energy. And in another two years, the company expects to have a product ready for commercialization.
Replex President Mark Schuetz says the technology could be deployed even on cloudy days using "the diffuse part of the sunlight." That's something not many companies can claim.
"We've been making mirrors for almost 20 years. We're trying to adapt to solar applications," Schuetz says. "This is a major leap for us."
The company was awarded a $1.2 million grant from the Ohio Third Frontier Photovoltaic Program for its innovative work. The goal is to reduce the cost of solar power by reducing the cost per watt of the most expensive component � the photovoltaic cells. Replex has collaborated the University of Toledo, the Ohio State University and Dovetail Solar and Wind for research, testing and evaluation.
In 2009, the recession hit Replex hard, whittling the staff to 17 from 25. But Schuetz says the company will most likely gain those positions back this year. There are plans to manufacture the modules in the Mount Vernon facility � adding as many as 500 jobs, Schuetz adds.
"We really think renewable energy is here to stay � and its only going to get bigger," he says. "And we want to be a part of that."
Source: Mark Schuetz, Replex Plastics
Writer: Colin McEwen