ThermaSun Inc., one of NNMConnect's Success Stories; image by Bill Stengel

ThermaSun Inc. of Taos will develop a solar thermal heating prototype that uses heat transfer fluids presently unknown in the industry.  The outcome of the project will be to overcome current barriers in the solar thermal industry, resulting in reduced greenhouse gas emissions associated with heating and cooling, and creating jobs in solar thermal installation and manufacturing.

ThermaSun is a participant in the New Mexico Small Business Assistance Program (NMSBA), a technical assistance program of Los Alamos and Sandia national laboratories. Through NMSBA, ThermaSun began research on materials compatibility which it will complete, prototype and performance monitor with VAF funding.

According to ThermaSun President Larry Mapes, about 50 prototype units are already being used by Valverde Energy, ThermaSun's sister company, with results exceeding expectations. "The VAF kicks off commercialization of ThermaSun products and adds valuation to ThermaSun, making it much more attractive to the investment world, said Mapes."