ROCKLEDGE, FL – May 22nd, 2012 – Mainstream Engineering Corporation, a 26-year-old Brevard County research and manufacturing company, has been awarded a contract from the Air Force to demonstrated their innovative new solar-powered heating and air conditioning unit for commercial buildings.
Using solar energy to power air conditioning systems is attractive because the sun is strongest during business hours when air conditioning is needed the most. Unfortunately, installing photovoltaic solar cell arrays and power conditioning equipment to electrically drive an air conditioning system is expensive – the payback period is at least two decades – thus explaining why there are essentially not such units around unless the government has provided an incentive. However, all that has changed since Mainstream developed a new high-efficiency Solar Environmental Control Unit (SECU) that is reducing the payback period to half the time.
Mainstream’s SECU has an estimated payback period of 10 years when compared to a conventional (13 SEER) air conditioner for a typical building in the Southeast. Of course, renewable energy rebates/credits would further reduce the payback period. “While our goal is to get to a 5 year payback, cutting the payback in half is a good first step” stated Dr. Robert P. Scaringe the company’s Founder and President.
While many employers in Brevard County are discussing reductions in workforce, Mainstream has seen its staff increase by 14% in the last year alone. This new Air Force contract will allow Mainstream to create additional positions.
“We currently have more than 25 open positions for development engineers in the fields of Mechanical, Chemical, Electrical, Industrial, and Materials engineering, as well as project management and strategic buyer positions” stated Scaringe. Those seeking employment are asked to visit the company website for more employment details. “This new Air Force contract award is one small step in a series of ongoing job-creating programs at Mainstream.”It’s exciting, these programs create local jobs, improve the nation’s energy efficiency and reduce our dependence on foreign oil, all while reducing emissions and preserving the environment,” continued Scaringe.
Mainstream Engineering has a history of leading-edge research and development that has resulted in advanced, lean-manufacturing, cost-competitive products, which are all proudly made in the USA.
About Mainstream Engineering Corporation
Mainstream Engineering Corporation is a solutions-oriented research, development and manufacturing business founded in 1986. Our primary mission is to transition advanced thermal control, energy storage and energy conversion technology into high-quality, cost-effective, environmentally safe, green, commercial products. Products include lightweight diesel/JP8-fueled engines (including generators and hybrid vehicle drive trains), advanced thermal control units, advanced biomass conversion technologies, refrigerators/freezers for shipping containers and the QwikProduct™ line of heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVAC/R) products. Areas of advanced research include thermal control, energy conversion, engine and emissions research, turbomachinery, chemical technology and materials science.