An Emerald Twist to California’s Green Technology Innovation

Noel Cotter is doing more than making homes and commercial buildings more energy efficient with his San Francisco-based solar installation business, Luminalt; the Ireland native is also shaping a new breed of green-collar workers. Cotter is a certified Go Solar SF workforce development employer and an early corporate partner in what is the largest municipal solar initiative program in the U.S. He’s applying his decades of experience to train program graduates with panel installation skills—expertise that could be in high demand if California’s solar industry takes off. These are the workers that install solar panels to convert the sun’s rays into electricity that can power things like appliances and lights. And Cotter is one of those quietly leading the charge to provide hands-on skills, knowledge and opportunity to a new corps of San Francisco green workers.

Cotter joined a group of local Irish clean-tech innovators at a recent reception hosted by Biolink at the Irish Consulate in San Francisco. In an appropriate prelude to St. Patrick’s Day, Ireland’s Minister for Energy, Natural Resources and Communications, Eamon Ryan dropped by to hear more from the CEOs following meetings with Silicon Valley companies organized by local IDA Ireland executives. At the event, Ryan was largely in listen mode, but he also provided some interesting commentary on Ireland’s emerging clean-tech industry.

For some, Solar is a relatively new industry. But for Luminalt’s Cotter, it has been his life’s work. A longtime believer in the technical and economic viability of solar power, he completed his first solar project in 1981—a 50KW photovoltaic system for Ireland’s University College Cork. Since then, Cotter has worked on and designed micro-hydro, wind generation, photovoltaic and hybrid off-grid systems. Luminalt is his latest endeavor. And while the recession is tempering what was surging demand just a year ago, Cotter reports that business remains brisk. A glimmer of hope in the face of California’s grim unemployment stats.

Also at the event was Luxim’s CEO Tony McGettigan with his tiny solid-state plasma LIFI bulbs. Luxim’s light-source—the size of a vitamin pill—is dwarfing the capabilities of conventional high-intensity discharge (HID) lamps, with ten times the lifespan and efficiency gains of up to 50%, as well as a dramatic improvement in color quality. And it’s really taking off. At this year’s Prolight+Sound tradeshow, the entertainment lighting world’s annual extravaganza, LIFI was the light source selected by several market leaders to showcase their display of ultra-cool new-generation fixtures.

Rex Northen, executive director of Clean Tech Open was also there. He described the rise of an organization that provides resources, education and support for clean-tech entrepreneurs. Most impressive were the stats he cited that sealed Clean Tech Open’s reputation for catalyzing great ideas that become viable clean-tech businesses. Consider this: since its inception in 2006, the organization has helped more than 120 entrepreneurs launch companies -- and subsequently raise over $125 million in external funding.

Much food for thought for Minister Ryan. He departed San Francisco with a tic-tac-sized LIFI bulb in his pocket, along with a healthy dose of the optimism that characterizes this unique corner of the world. He also returned home armed with ideas for building bridges between the clean-tech communities of Ireland and the Silicon Valley—similar to what event host, Biolink has already done for the life sciences sector.

Jane Evans-Ryan