Superclean Glass wins $65K FuzeHub grant for solar tech | Long Island Business News

The Long Island High Technology Incubator with Superclean Glass in Stony Brook is one of six winners in New York State of the latest round of FuzeHub’s Manufacturing Grants, receiving $65,000 to support technological advancements and process improvements.

A non-profit that supports manufacturers throughout the state, FuzeHub recently awarded $390,000 in grants to facilitate research and development, technical advancements and process improvements. The Jeff Lawrence Innovation Fund, run by FuzeHub, is responsible for awarding the grants, helping companies move from development to the marketplace.

“Modern manufacturing relies on innovation and collaboration,” Ben Verschueren, executive director of Empire State Development’s Division of Science, Technology and Innovation, said in news release about the awards.

“These grant recipients are on the front lines, pursuing big ideas with potential to move the sector forward,” Verschueren said. “Their work will advance cutting-edge solutions while also strengthening our economy, creating jobs, and adding to New York State’s rich industrial history. Empire State Development is proud to support this round of awardees, and we’re excited to see the lasting impact of their projects.”

Superclean Glass is developing a scalable laser manufacturing platform for the solar industry. The company has developed a waterless self-cleaning technology using an electrodynamic shield to actively repel dust particles from solar panel. Traditional cleaning methods rely heavily on potable water and manual labor, both of which are costly and resource-intensive. But the Superclean Glass’ technology is designed to address this challenge and help solar panels maximize efficiency, especially in dry, desert-like regions where about 60 percent of solar panels are installed, and dust buildup can reduce panel output by more than 10 percent.

The FuzeHub award will support the manufacturing platform to produce this technology at scale.

The awardees in this round of funding “represent the spirit of ingenuity and entrepreneurship that drives New York’s economy forward,” Patty Rechberger, innovation fund manager at FuzeHub, said in the news release. “From breakthroughs in medical devices and assistive mobility, to smart infrastructure and sustainable building materials, these awardees will unleash positive impacts in communities everywhere, showcasing the strength and commitment of New Yorkers to a better future.”

In addition to the manufacturing grants, the Jeff Lawrence Innovation Fund also supports early-stage companies through FuzeHub’s annual Commercialization Competition, held each fall. This competition is designed to help small manufacturing and technology companies further develop their prototypes, pursue investment opportunities, attract new customers and strengthen their go-to-market strategies.

The application period for the 2025 Commercialization Competition is currently open, with a submission deadline of Aug. 8 at 11:59 p.m. Finalists will pitch live at the 2025 New York State Innovation Summit, hosted by FuzeHub, which highlights the state’s companies and researchers advancing technologies and production capabilities.