Lenses To Be Made For Solar Energy System - October 21, 1976

Published by The Grove City Record on Thursday, October 21, 1976

Stanley Meyer, who earlier this year began construction in Grove City of what he terms a revolutionary solar energy system, said the project is "about 87 percent done" and estimates it could be completed and operable within 60 days.

Meyer said all of the system at 2222 Marlane Drive is complete except for installation of synthetic light guide lenses, which he says will concentrate solar energy into the lower portion of the system, where it can be stored and converted into other forms of energy.

Dyna-Quip, Inc., located in Columbus, has agreed to construct molds for the manufacture of the plastic light guides, the inventor said. As soon as the molds are completed, the lenses can be made as quickly as the material becomes available.

The frame, along with the storage cavity and power storage segments of the system, have been finished, Meyer added.

In March, the former Battelle Memorial Institute electronics technician announced construction of the device was underway, claiming it could have an enormous impact upon the national economy and the continuing search for cheap and plentiful sources of energy.

Since the original article appeared in the Record in March, a number of persons have offered their help on weekends. Businesses have offered to aid him in the completion of the full-size demonstration model.

One individual, Charles Richardson, who said he was formerly associated with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, has joined Meyer to work full-time on the system.

“Response has been tremendous,” Meyer said, although he admits that most of the granulated acrylic material, which will be used for the light guide lenses, must still be obtained. He said “about $700 worth” of the plastic material has been given to him, but “about $2,600 worth of plastic is still needed.” Meyer is not concerned about how the material will be obtained, as he said, “we’ll get it however the Lord provides it.”

The patented solar thermal electric power generation system will be able to provide the complete energy needs for the two-story home on Marlane Drive, according to Meyer, including electricity, heating, air conditioning, hot water, and gas for gas appliances.

“With slight modifications,” the system could be used to provide energy for new and vintage homes, high-rise buildings, commercial structures, and many industries, he said.

Originally, Meyer had intended to have the system completed for a demonstration on July 4, but he decided to extend his work to make the system immediately adaptable for mass production after he proves it works, as he claims.

Although much of the necessary steel, oil, and gas supplies needed to have died from the 1973 energy scare, Meyer said a virtual halt in the availability of oil supplies to the U.S., possibly as the result of an Arab oil embargo, could place American industries and the economy in sudden jeopardy. He intends to have his system ready for production if that should occur.

“If the embargo comes, and I hope it does not, we will be prepared technically to be able to call upon all industry to assist in the production of this energy system and get it (to individual homes and manufacturing plants),” he said.