Millions Going for Space-Age Windows

If energy-saving construction were a poker game, the Department of Energy made a large bet March 5 by offering a conditional commitment for a $72 million loan guarantee to SAGE Electrochromics Inc. of Faribault, Minn.

  • Mar 10, 2010

On March 5, U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced his department has offered a conditional commitment for a $72 million loan guarantee so SAGE Electrochromics Inc. of Faribault, Minn., can build and operate a 250,000-square-foot plant to produce SageGlass®, an energy-saving window technology for commercial and residential use. The plant will bring 160 jobs to Faribault and will be built beside privately held SAGE's existing production facility; comments from the company and Minnesota politicians, including Faribault's major, suggested the funding was crucial to keeping SAGE's jobs in their state.

SAGE's announcement of the $72 million guarantee noted the company also was awarded a $31 million Advanced Energy Manufacturing Tax Credit earlier this year, meaning the company has secured more than $100 million in federal money. "These funds," according to the announcement, "will help SAGE establish a facility for the manufacture of energy-saving electronically tintable glass, which will make buildings more energy efficient and will create hundreds of new green manufacturing and construction jobs."

Chu said the government's investment "will help cut utility bills, reduce carbon pollution, and create jobs our economy needs. It's a perfect example of the power of American innovation to create a stronger economy and a healthier planet."

SageGlass® admits natural light but blocks unwanted solar heat and glare. The technology, producing what are called electrochromic glazings, is a series of thin ceramic material layers deposited onto sheets of glass. Users can turn a switch and use low-voltage electrical current to change the window from clear to highly tinted. This can lower lighting costs and prevent energy loss that occurs through conventional windows, according to the company.

Product Showcase

  • Safety Shower Test Cart

    The Safety Shower Test Cart speeds up and simplifies emergency shower tests, ensures you stay in compliance with OSHA regulations, and significantly reduces testing costs. With 7 unique features, the cart makes testing easy, effective, and efficient. You can test water clarity, flow, temperature, and spread—all at the same time! Most safety shower testing kits create a mess, take too much time to use, and don't fully help you stay in compliance with OSHA & ANSI standards. Transform the way you test emergency showers with Green Gobbler Safety. Read More

  • Glove Guard® Clip

    Safety should never be compromised, especially when it comes to proper glove usage. The Glove Guard® clip enhances safety by encouraging employees to keep their gloves with them at all times. This reduces the risk of accidents and injuries on the job. By ensuring everyone has their gloves readily available, we help promote a culture of safety and efficiency. The Glove Guard® clip is designed to withstand the toughest work environments. Constructed from robust materials made in the USA, it can endure extreme conditions, including harsh weather, and rigorous activities. Read More

  • Matrix's OmniPro Vision AI Collision Avoidance System

    OmniPro Vision AI is a state-of-the-art collision avoidance system that features NIOSH award-winning Visual Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology. This highly accurate, powerful system identifies and alerts on pedestrians, vehicles and specified objects, ensuring safer facilities, mining operations and industrial sites. With its web-based cloud application, OmniPro Vision AI also logs and analyzes a wide range of data related to zone breach notifications. Operating without needing personal wearable devices or tags, OmniPro has visual and audible zone breach alerts for both operators and pedestrians. Read More

Featured

Most   Popular

Artificial Intelligence