Government invests $5.4M to develop solar cell technology for vehicles

The Government of Canada is investing $5.4 million in Halifax-based Metamaterial Technologies Inc to help the company develop lightweight and high-efficiency silicon-based solar cell technology for the transport industry. The funding from Sustainable Development Technology Canada, supports metaSOLAR, a product designed to cut carbon emissions by harnessing the sun’s energy. Company founder and CEO Dr George Palikaras says the funding will help the company accelerate and expand its R&D for a product to be marketed globally. Transport accounts for about 19% of global energy use and 23% of energy-related carbon dioxide emissions. Transport energy use and CO2 emissions are projected to increase by nearly 50% by 2030 and by more than 80% by 2050.