Martin Pochtaruk, president of Heliene Inc., a solar photovoltaic panel manufacturer based in Sault Ste. Marie, has been recognized by the Canadian Solar Industries Association (CanSIA) for his contributions to the industry.
Pochtaruk received the Industry Leader award at the association’s Solar Canada 2012-Game Changer Awards gala.
“We wanted to recognize the excellence of individuals and companies who stand above and rise to the challenge of our industry,” said John Gorman, CanSIA president, in a news release. “The Game Changer Awards Gala was a vibrant and edgy show celebrating accomplishments and offering a markedly new celebration timed with the association’s 20th anniversary.”
Pochtaruk was selected for his work in helping to create a manufacturing sector to cover the equipment needs of the new and growing industry of solar power generation. His company, Heliene, was the first industrial manufacturer of PV to start up in Ontario in October, 2010.
According to the release, Pochtaruk helped create and maintain new green-collar manufacturing jobs in Ontario to cover demand regionally and internationally, in addition to creating a general awareness of the advantages of solar power generation and its real cost versus other technologies.
The Canadian Solar Industries Association is a national trade association that represents more than 650 solar energy companies throughout Canada.