PIONEERING solar specialist Thermomax is planning to make hay in the United States with a major push for new business as the momentum grows over global warming.

The Bangor firm is aiming for a share of up to $200m in research grants announced by President Bush in response to the ongoing warnings of climate change.

Already firmly established in the US with several prestigious contracts, Thermomax commercial manager Kathy McVeigh said the company planned to work closely with Invest NI, using its technology and development centres in Boston and Denver.

The company, a pioneer in the development of solar collection systems for both heating and cooling water for commercial, industrial and domestic applications, will use the two centres to strengthen its position in the US.

"While we've a longstanding relationship with a company in Washington, which has enabled us to win a number of substantial projects from the federal government, inquiries are now coming strongly from other regions and we need to raise our profile.

"Interest in our technology has been strengthened by President George Bush's proposed Solar America Initiative involving around pounds 100 million for government and private sector research into solar systems. The US government aims to make solar a competitive energy source by 2015. We need to be there to enable us to contribute to this research and to benefit from the applications that will surely follow the work.

Founded in 1980 by the late Iranian physicist and entrepreneur Dr Faramarz Mahdjuri, the firm's US CV includes the supply of solar hot water systems at the Pentagon and the Department for the Environment in Washington DC, as well as NASA in Florida and the unique Green Dorm at the University of South Carolina.

"The Invest NI centres in Boston and Denver are ideal locations from which we will be able to explore key regions from the eastern seaboard to the Mid West, South and California,' said Kathy.

"We will be able to benefit from the vast experience and knowledge that staff at the two centres have in doing business throughout the US. In particular, we will use the centres to identify potential strategic partners to enable us to cover this vast market."

Invest NI trade director Alan Hingston said the centres were now an established and successful part of the services package available to local firms operating in the US.

"The centres were created specifically to enable smaller companies with advanced technologies, such as Thermomax, to access opportunities in a marketplace with a great appetite for smart ideas and new products.

"They offer companies expert advice and very practical support that includes work stations, facilities for meeting clients and a serviced business address in the US.

"Having an address in the US is very important because American companies look for suppliers in the market that they can reach quickly,' said Alan.