Government of Canada invests in Toronto solar company
June 28, 2022 – Toronto, Ontario
A clean environment and a healthy economy go hand in hand. That is why the Government of Canada is committed to supporting Canada’s clean technology sector while making smart investments that embrace opportunities for greener future growth.
Today, the Honourable Helena Jaczek, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), announced an investment of $4 million for Clear Blue Technologies Inc. (Clear Blue) to expand its production capacity, support the commercialization of its new Pico-Grid technology and enhance its sales and marketing strategies. Through this project, the company will be able to expand into new global markets and over 90 jobs will be created.
Clear Blue is a woman-led company based in Toronto that provides sustainable, off-grid solar and hybrid power systems to remotely monitor and control devices such as streetlights, security and traffic cameras, and telecommunications through cloud-based technology and software platforms. The company’s energy-efficient control and management functions make off-grid devices powered by alternative energy more cost-effective and practical for clients.
This Government of Canada support, through FedDev Ontario, will allow the company to scale production capacity to meet growing global demand with telecom companies, increase marketing and sales activities and develop and support the commercialization of its new clean energy product, Pico-Grid. This project will also reduce Canada’s carbon footprint by eliminating a significant amount of CO2 worldwide, an important environmental benefit.
This investment reinforces the Government of Canada’s commitment to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 by supporting technologies that will advance our environmental objectives and support growth in Canada’s clean tech sector. Through the Jobs and Growth Fund, the Government of Canada is helping businesses to promote market expansion and create jobs to build a more inclusive economy.
Quotes
“As the demand for more sustainable and renewable sources of energy, and cleaner solutions continues to increase, more Canadian companies have risen to the challenge and are leading the way to change. Today’s announcement for Clear Blue Technologies Inc. will support global market expansion and the commercialization of the new Pico-Grid technology, while reinforcing our shared commitment to innovative, sustainable practices that promote a globally-competitive and inclusive economy in the long term.”
– The Honourable Helena Jaczek, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
“This announcement is great news for both the Toronto region and Canada’s cleantech economy. This FedDev Ontario investment is helping to create over 90 jobs locally while also providing a clean, reliable power source to countries around the world.”
– Michael Coteau, Member of Parliament for Don Valley East
“Clear Blue is committed to driving innovation in the Canadian cleantech sector and expanding sustainable power around the world. With its new Pico-Grid power system for satellite Wi-Fi and IoT applications, Clear Blue is expanding the capabilities of Smart Off-Grid power and enabling connectivity for all. This funding will directly help us to continue the development of technology and create new jobs to grow our global reach. Transitioning to a green economy is challenging, but opportunities like the FedDev Ontario funding allow us to accelerate that transition and bring Smart Off-Grid to more, connecting the unconnected.”
– Miriam Tuerk, Cofounder & CEO, Clear Blue Technologies
Quick facts
Incorporated in 2011, Clear Blue is a publicly traded company that delivers clean, managed, wireless power using its patented, Smart Off-Grid technology, delivered through their Energy-as-a-Service (EaaS) business model, to manage lighting, telecom, Internet of Things devices, and other critical systems worldwide. The company’s off-grid solar technology remotely manages a device’s power consumption through predictive weather analytics based on anticipated sun exposure.
This month, Clear Blue was named as one of Canada’s 50 fastest-growing sustainable companies on the 2022 Future 50 list.
A Pico-Grid is a small singular power source specifically designed for the ultra-low-power requirements of satellite Wi-Fi and IoT applications. End users leverage the technology to power stationary devices, such as a home appliance or lighting, and it can also be a wearable power source for cell phones or other mobile devices.
Since 2015, the Government of Canada, through FedDev Ontario, has invested over $400 million in almost 200 projects related to clean tech and green initiatives in southern Ontario.
In November of 2017, FedDev Ontario made an investment of $400,000 in Clear Blue to scale up activities for its solar and wind powered control system.
FedDev Ontario is delivering $224 million of the Jobs and Growth Fund (JGF) to help businesses in southern Ontario and the organizations who support them, future-proof, build resiliency and prepare for growth by transitioning to a green, inclusive and competitive economy.
Associated links
Contacts
Monica Granados
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
monica.granados@feddevontario.gc.ca
Media Relations
FedDev Ontario
fdo.mediarel-relmedias.fdo@feddevontario.gc.ca