Energizing Ohio

Last summer, Gov. Ted Strickland declared northwest Ohio a hub of "innovation and opportunity" for solar energy. Last week, the state put its money where its mouth is.

The University of Toledo has been approved for a $3.5 million grant through the Ohio Third Frontier Commission, putting UT and a partner, Dow Corning Corp. of Midland, Mich., in the running for a $46 million share of $125 million the U.S. Energy Department will award next month to establish three photovoltaics research and development centers.

UT and Dow would split the federal grant to establish two manufacturing centers that would focus on bringing solar energy technology to market. As Frank Calzonetti, UT vice president for research and economic development, told The Blade: "The idea is to make sure that any technology we develop … doesn't end up producing jobs that go to California, Texas, or somewhere else."

Until now, that's been a problem.

The research that led to the creation of thin-film solar panel companies First Solar Inc. and Xunlight Corp. was conducted at UT. Ohio - largely because of businesses located here, ranks second in the nation in solar module production and is fifth in solar power installation. Yet, Ohio doesn't even make the top 10 in solar jobs.

First Solar, which got its start here and employs 1,100 people at a Perrysburg Township manufacturing plant, plans to have another U.S. factory up and running by 2012. Despite its close ties to the area, the company would only say there is a "chance" the new factory - and its projected 600 jobs - will be in Ohio.

Ultimately, the decision about where to locate a manufacturing plant is based on many factors, including land and utility costs, taxes and tax breaks, the availability of appropriately skilled workers, and access to markets.

State and local governments can make Ohio more attractive to potential investors through various incentives. It also can spend the state's limited resources on projects designed to encourage the growth of Ohio's solar industry.

The goal is to have investors and entrepreneurs clamoring to bring jobs to Ohio. That's where the Third Frontier grant comes in. Technology breakthroughs made at UT, Bowling Green State University, and other regional colleges should lead to jobs here first. A manufacturing initiative that complements UT's Wright Center for Photovoltaics Innovation and Commercialization would do that.

Ohio's claim to be a world leader in alternative energy research and development has been sounding increasingly hollow in recent years.

This grant, if it succeeds in leveraging federal money, could go a long way toward shifting momentum back in Ohio's direction.