FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
October 18, 2006
For more information contact:

Eugene (Gene) Watson, Program Manager
Wyoming SBIR/STTR Initiative
Phone: 307.742.7162, 307.760.0456 cell

Panamax35, LLC
Principal: Eliot Case
Cheyenne, Wyoming
Phone: 307.637.8900

Panamax35, LLC turns solar collection system into Phase 0 grant

CHEYENNE – A Wyoming firm, Panamax35 LLC of Cheyenne, has secured a $5,000 grant through the Wyoming Business Council and the Wyoming SBIR/STTR Initiative for its work with solar power systems.

Panamax35, LLC is testing a new solar power collection system which could be used at homes, ranches and businesses. Collecting solar power generally involves using many solar cells connected by expensive and heavy copper cables. Panamax Principal Eliot Case compares them to car battery jumper cables on steroids.

Panamax35, LLC is researching and testing a new method in which they would transfer power from many distributed solar cells using lower cost small gauge wires instead of large copper cables.

“Usually systems like these use alternating current, or AC. AC systems often use large transformers to bring the voltages up. Transformers also use a large amount of copper and lose a significant amount of power in the form of heat. Advanced DC-to-DC conversion methods will be used in small inexpensive conversion modules. These “intelligent” modules constantly calculate how best to add power to the collection network at low loss,” said Case.

“The system helps to provide a low cost alternative to homeowners, ranchers, and businesses that want to use less power generated by fossil fuels. It’s a win-win situation; help the environment and lower your monthly power bills,” Case added.

The SBIR Phase 0 Program helps Wyoming companies develop competitive proposals for the federal SBIR and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. The SBIR Phase 0 program is a project of the Wyoming SBIR/STTR Initiative (WSSI). The WSSI is funded by the Wyoming Business Council and gives out $120,000 in Phase 0 grants each year.

The federal Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs make up the WSSI alliance and provide more than $2 billion annually in Research and Development (R&D) grants and contracts to qualified small businesses.

Eleven federal agencies are required by law to provide these funds by setting aside 2.5 percent of their annual extra-mural R&D budgets for use exclusively by U.S. small businesses for new product R&D. Hence, these programs provide a unique source of start-up and seed capital for small businesses to develop new innovative product concepts.

The mission of the Wyoming Business Council is to facilitate the economic growth of Wyoming. For more information, please visit the Web site at www.wyomingbusiness.org.

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