Ann Arbor’s solartonic leverages microloan to expand sales

Ann Arbor-based solartonic plans to leverage a new microloan to help market its solar-power technology and begin work on developing a second-generation of its principal product. Solartonic is commercializing solar panel technology that it hopes to take the industry beyond the panel-on-a-frame installations. The firm’s solarap systems is meant to work with outdoor energy-efficient lighting apparatus with a panel that raps around a street pole so it can collect solar energy throughout the day. It has installed its first sales in texas and is working to generate more sales across the U.S. “We’re looking to sell more of that version,” says Brian Tell, managing partner of solartonic. “We’re also looking at building a 2.0 version that will include some smart-grid technology.” A microloan from the Michigan Microloan Fund, which is managed by Ann Arbor SPARK, will help support the two-person startup’s sales and marketing efforts, which will include building out its website and attending trade shows. The size of the microloan wasn’t disclosed but amounts granted by the Michigan Microloan Fund usually average around $50,000. Source: Brian Tell, managing partner of solartonic Writer: Jon Zemk Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.