The state’s energy-technology investment arm has invested $1 million in Optiwind Corp., a Torrington startup developer of mid-sized wind turbines.
The money is from the Connecticut Clean Tech Fund, a partnership between Connecticut Innovations Inc. and the state Department of Economic and Community Development.
With the investment, CI President Peter Longo gained a seat on Optiwind’s board of directors.
Optiwind’s initial backer, Charles River Ventures, of Waltham, Mass., also contributed another $2 million in the latest round of financing, said Optiwind spokesman David Hurwitt
Founded in 2007 by Goshen engineer Russ Marvin, the company has 20 employees.
Optiwind will use the financing to hire six to 10 more employees to complete its novel design of a mid-sized compact wind acceleration turbine system, ideally suited for installation at commercial, industrial and school sites, Hurwitt said.
Its design consists of an array of six or 12 turbines mounted on a large cylinder that rotates so that the turbines always face prevailing winds.
The company will install a working prototype on a Torrington dairy farm by year end, Hurwitt said. Plans are to start commercial production sometime in 2010.
