NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
January 25, 2010
Investing In Energy-Saving Technology
McGuinty Government Supports Green Technology Business, Creates Jobs
NEWS
Ontario is supporting breakthrough technology that promises to transform lighting in homes and businesses, help tackle climate change and create jobs.
Through the Innovation Demonstration Fund, the province is contributing $3.6 million to Group IV Semiconductor Inc. (Group IV), an Ottawa-based company, to help expand its fabrication facility at Carleton University and complete technology development.
The company’s technology could lead to low-cost solid-state (consisting of semiconductor materials and components in which current flow is through solid material rather than in a vacuum) light bulbs that will use up to 90 per cent less electricity than regular bulbs and last much longer, significantly cutting greenhouse gas emissions and reducing the waste burden on landfills. Currently the company employs 25 people and expects to increase this number to 44 over the next two years.
This investment is part of Ontario’s Innovation Agenda to make innovation a driving force of Ontario’s economy and supports the province’s five-point economic plan.
QUOTES
“Going green" is not just an environmental priority, it is also good business. That’s why we are proud to support companies like Group IV Semiconductor Inc. whose innovative technology will lead to environmental benefits, while at the same time create more green jobs in Ontario.”
— John Milloy, Minister of Research and Innovation
“Ontario is pleased to be supporting Group IV today because it has a light bulb technology that will help us tackle climate change, save consumers money on their energy bills and help create high-skilled jobs in the Ottawa-Carleton area. Through companies like Group IV, Ontario is taking another bold step to grow our green economy.”
— Phil McNeely, MPP for Ottawa-Orléans
“With the worldwide phase-out of the inefficient incandescent light bulb, the race is on to find new, greener alternatives to fill the world's billions of existing light sockets. Group IV's silicon-based technology has the potential to meet this need with a highly affordable and environmentally sound light bulb of the future. Thanks to the Ontario government and others, we now have the resources and people to fulfill this potential in a way that generates jobs and a greener future for Ontario.”
— Stephen Naor, CEO and Co-founder, Group IV Semiconductor Inc.
“We applaud the Province of Ontario for recognizing the importance of ground-breaking, collaborative research. Investing in the partnership that includes technology leader Group IV, Carleton University and the National Research Council will lead to greater innovation in silicon device physics and consequently to brilliant, green technology which has the potential of revolutionizing our consumption of energy.”
— Roseann O’Reilly Runte, President and Vice-Chancellor of Carleton University
QUICK FACTS
- Replacing incandescent bulbs in Canada with solid-state light bulbs could reduce greenhouse gases by five million tonnes annually – the equivalent of taking over 800,000 cars off the road in Canada.
- Lighting consumes some 15 per cent of the world's electrical energy and $12 billion is spent globally every year on lighting.
- Incandescent light bulbs waste more than 90 per cent of the energy they consume as heat, while the corresponding figure for compact fluorescent light bulbs is approximately 25 per cent.
LEARN MORE
About support for emerging technology companies.
About Ontario’s Innovation Agenda.
About solid-state lighting.
See also:
- Backgrounder: Support For Emerging Green Technology Companies
- For the Media
