ABSTRACT
This chapter shows that Toledo's new solar energy cluster owes much to its antecedent glass cluster and that the new cluster has taken many years to emerge. The emerging cluster has many of the attributes associated with technology clusters, including sources of innovation, entrepreneurship, ability of the region to absorb innovations, university support, and sharing of information and people. The chapter provides information on the growth of the solar energy industry and describes the growth of the cluster in Toledo. It also provides information on prospects of the cluster's ability to sustain its growth. Photovoltaic (PV) cells or solar cells are devices that can generate electrical energy under exposure to light. Recognition of the cluster came with the winning of an NSF award, public promotion by the local congressional representative, the designation as a local technology cluster, the creation of a solar energy business council, and the winning of Ohio technology development grants.
