GeoSmart Energy partners with Innovative Air Solutions to offer solar electric products



"Solar Harmony" thin film panels by GeoSmart Energy

GeoSmart Energy (Cambridge, Ontario, Canada), a supplier of geothermal heating and cooling systems, on May 4th, 2010 announced that it was further diversifying its renewable energy product line to include solar energy options. According to the press release, the company has entered into a formal partnership agreement with green energy solutions provider Innovative Air Solutions Inc. (Toronto, Ontario, Canada) to give homeowners in Ontario, and ultimately across Canada, access to the latest solar technology available on the market. Innovative Air Solutions is to private label GeoSmart's "Solar Harmony" product line that is to be offered to 300+ dealers across Canada to reach the residential market. GeoSmart also plans to utilize its state-of-the-art training academy to provide its dealers, interested homeowners and industry stakeholders with training and hands-on knowledge sharing.

Partnership agreement deemed a win-win situation for both companies

"GeoSmart Energy has earned a reputation for offering consumer-oriented products that are cost-effective, energy efficient and environmentally friendly", said Chad Brezynskie, Vice President of sales and marketing with GeoSmart. "Aligned with our company's strategic business plan, this partnership with Innovative Air Solutions further solidifies our commitment to deliver innovative product offerings while expanding renewable energy options for residential projects." Geoffrey Smith, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Innovative Air Solutions, added that the agreement was a win-win situation for both companies: "GeoSmart Energy's growing dealer network, training acumen and considerable experience in renewable energy make them an ideal partner to help get our solar energy products to market while also meeting their desire to offer homeowners more diversified green energy solutions", Smith said.

Thin-film PV solar systems generate high energy yield, can withstand temperatures as low as -40 C

Geosmart reports that Innovative Air Solutions' solar power system consists of thin film photovoltaic (PV) solar panels and an inverter. The "Solar Harmony" thin film panels can reportedly be flush mounted to the roof, maximizing the available space while generating solar energy. Thanks to a massive parallel configuration, electricity can be produced even under partially shaded conditions. According to the press release, these thin film solar panels are able to generate a 10-20 % higher energy yield than the more traditional mono-crystalline panels. Leveraging extra low voltage (ELV) inverter technology, the GeoSmart Solar Harmony inverter offers high performance and is able to withstand temperatures as low as -40 C. "The innovative massive parallel design of our Solar Harmony power system is not too unlike the parallel underground geothermal loop design used with our geothermal installations. It's an approach that works effectively in both applications", said Brezynskie. "This is a system that has tremendous potential for a homeowner’s return on investment." Under Ontario's 'microFIT' (feed-in tariff) program, homeowners are paid a guaranteed price (0.802 Canadian Dollars) for all the electricity their renewable electricity generation project (10 kilowatts or less) produces over a 20-year period.