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A Legacy of Innovation: The Early History of PV in Toledo

This industrial strength was supported by collaborations with University of Toledo, particularly through research initiatives focused on silicate materials. While much of the local glass related R&D declined by the late 20th century, the region鈥檚 deep expertise in glass and coatings technologies laid the foundation for future advancements. These capabilities later proved critical in the development of thin film photovoltaics and solar energy research in Toledo.

A pivotal figure in this story is Harold McMaster, a visionary scientist, entrepreneur, and industrialist who played a central role in transforming Toledo into a hub for solar energy innovation. An expert in glass strengthening and coatings, McMaster made important contributions to transparent conductive oxides (TCOs), a key enabling technology for solar cells.

Driven by a strong belief in solar power as the future of energy, McMaster founded Solar Cells Inc. in 1987 later becoming First Solar, now a global leader in thin-film cadmium telluride (CdTe) photovoltaics. At the same time, he worked closely with the University of Toledo to help build an academic research foundation that could support the commercialization of advanced PV technologies.

McMaster鈥檚 efforts were complemented by other key contributors, including Norm Nitschke, reflecting a broader network of industry leaders and researchers who helped establish Toledo鈥檚 position in the emerging solar energy sector.

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Building the Research Infrastructure

Recognizing the growing potential of photovoltaics research, McMaster made a generous $1.2 million donation to the University of Toledo to support a 鈥渕ovable equipment fund鈥� for physics research. This funding helped equip laboratories and supported the recruitment of key faculty, including Professors Alvin Compaan and Scott Lee.

McMaster Hall itself was funded separately by the State of Ohio as part of an expansion of the Physics and Astronomy Department, aimed at advancing solar energy research and materials science. Together, these investments provided the University of Toledo with state-of-the-art facilities, enabling faculty and students to explore new frontiers in solar technology.

With this foundation in place, 兔子先生传媒文化作品 was poised to take its first major steps in PV research.

Early Research and Funding Breakthroughs

In 1987, Dr. Alvin Compaan joined the UT faculty, working closely with McMaster to establish a dedicated PV research program. Early funding sources included:

• Ohio Department of Development and Edison Program, in partnership with Glasstech Inc and Solar Cells Inc. in 1988 - Provided seed funding for UT鈥檚 first PV research initiatives.
• 1989 鈥� First Federal Grant: A major breakthrough came with a successful proposal led by Alvin Compaan to the Solar Energy Research Institute (SERI, now the National Renewable Energy Laboratory). This award brought critical federal funding to support collaborative research between the University of Toledo and Solar Cells Inc. on amorphous silicon and cadmium telluride (CdTe) solar cells.

The funding was shared between UT and McMaster鈥檚 company, Solar Cells Inc., laying the foundation for university-industry collaboration in photovoltaics.

Rapid Growth and Talent Expansion in the 1990s

The 1990s marked a period of significant expansion for UT鈥檚 photovoltaics program, driven by key faculty recruits and major research advancements. One of the most impactful developments was the recruitment of Dr. Xunming Deng, an expert in amorphous silicon PV, who helped diversify and strengthen the university鈥檚 solar research capabilities. During this time, state grants provided essential funding to acquire cutting edge PV research equipment, attracting top tier faculty and researchers to UT. By the mid 1990s, UT鈥檚 photovoltaics research group had grown to four core faculty members, positioning the university as a rising hub for solar energy innovation.

Institutional and Governmental Support

The program鈥檚 success was also driven by strong administrative and political support:

• Dr. Frank Calzonetti, as UT鈥檚 Vice President for Research Development, played a key role in securing research funding and promoting UT鈥檚 PV initiatives.
• Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur was instrumental in securing federal and state support for UT鈥檚 solar research, leading to increased investments in renewable energy development.
• UT researchers also benefited from National Science Foundation (NSF) grants, as well as Air Force and DOE research contracts.

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2000s: Establishing PVIC as a Global Leader

Major Funding Wins and Faculty Expansion

By the early 2000s, UT was positioned to establish a world-class photovoltaics research center. The following milestones were key in making this vision a reality:

馃抢 2004 鈥� Robert W. Collins was recruited from Penn State to hold the Nippon Electric Glass (NEG) Endowed Professorship.

馃抢 2005 鈥� Sylvain Marsillac joined the University, expanding research into copper indium diselenide (CIS) thin-film photovoltaics and strengthening UT鈥檚 materials research capabilities.

馃抢 2007 鈥� $18.6M Ohio Grant 鈥� Collins led a proposal to the Ohio Department of Development to establish the Wright Center for Photovoltaics Innovation and Commercialization (PVIC), in partnership with Bowling Green State University and Ohio State University. The project secured $18.6 million, along with approximately $50 million in matching support from industry and academic partners.

馃抢 2008 鈥� $8.9M Expansion Grant 鈥� Additional funding from the State of Ohio supported the 鈥淣orthwest Ohio Innovators in Thin-Film PV鈥� initiative. This enabled expansion of research programs, recruitment of new faculty, and establishment of two endowed chairs, including the Harold and Helen McMaster Chair in Photovoltaics (supported by a $2 million donation from the McMasters).

馃抢 2008鈥�2011 鈥� Senior Faculty Recruits from NREL 鈥� The University recruited leading researchers from NREL, including Randy Ellingson, Michael Heben, and Yanfa Yan, bringing decades of combined experience in photovoltaics. John Podraza was also recruited from Penn State as an Assistant Professor.

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Toledo鈥檚 Legacy in Glass and Solar Innovation

PVIC鈥檚 success is deeply connected to Toledo鈥檚 rich history in glass manufacturing, which played a vital role in the development of thin-film photovoltaics.

Timeline of Key Innovations in Toledo鈥檚 Glass and Solar Industry

馃煝 1888 鈥� Edward Libbey moves New England Glass Company to Toledo, forming Libbey Glass.
馃煝 1903 鈥� Michael Owens invents the bottle making machine at Libbey Glass, later founding Owens Bottle Machine Co.
馃煝 1907 鈥� Owens Bottle and Illinois Glass merge to form Owens-Illinois, which becomes the world鈥檚 largest glass company by 1929.
馃煝 1916 鈥� Libbey-Owens Sheet Glass Company is founded.
馃煝 1930 鈥� Libbey, Owens, Ford (LOF) forms through a merger, becoming a major player in sheet glass production.
馃煝 1935 鈥� Owens-Corning is formed as a joint venture between Corning Glass and Owens-Illinois.
馃煝 1942 鈥� Harold McMaster develops a transparent conductive oxide (TCO) coating process on glass, a key technology for solar panel production.
馃煝 1948 鈥� McMaster founds Permaglass, pioneering glass tempering technologies.
馃煝 1971 鈥� McMaster and Nitschke establish Glasstech, specializing in glass tempering machinery.
馃煝 1985 鈥� McMaster co-founds Glasstech Solar in Colorado, focusing on amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) PV commercialization.
馃煝 1986 鈥� Ohio funds faculty expansion at UT, supporting hires like Dr. Al Compaan and Dr. Dean Giolando.
馃煝 1987 鈥� McMaster and colleagues found Solar Cells Inc., which becomes First Solar in 1999, now a global leader in thin-film CdTe solar modules.
馃煝 1987 鈥� McMaster Hall is dedicated at UT, marking a major investment in solar research facilities.
馃煝 1987 鈥� UT secures its first state PV research award ($300K), matched by Glasstech and Solar Cells Inc.
馃煝 1989 鈥� UT wins its first DOE award ($475K) through SERI/NREL, boosting research in CdTe solar cells.
馃煝 1994-2004 鈥� UT researchers play a key role in DOE鈥檚 Thin Film Photovoltaic Partnership, collaborating closely with SCI/First Solar.

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PVIC鈥檚 Lasting Impact on Solar Energy

With a legacy of innovation spanning decades, the Wright Center for Photovoltaics Innovation and Commercialization (PVIC) continues to stand as a global leader in photovoltaic research and commercialization. Building on Toledo鈥檚 deep roots in glass science, a strong university industry ecosystem, and world class research facilities, PVIC drives breakthroughs that are shaping the future of clean energy.

Reflecting this impact, the University of Toledo has been recognized among the top 1% of institutions worldwide in materials science an achievement driven in large part by PVIC鈥檚 pioneering work in photovoltaics.