Local man shares invention with city

SANDPOINT — There’s more than one way to cook chili and generate renewable energy. 

On May 2, Matt Janssen, chief technology officer of Vapor Locomotive Company, parked in front of Miller’s Country Store to distribute free chili, courtesy of Miller’s, that was cooked by the sun using his own invention. 

The Solar Power 1700 Solar Parabolic Collector is a steam-generating solar thermal collector that has the capabilities to control renewable energy. The parabolic collector aims to offset diesel fuel, propane and biomass used in thermal processes in remote areas, such as Sandpoint. Having worked on the design of the parabolic collector for around seven years, Janssen credits help he received from local companies like North Wind Composites and Tamarack Aerospace.  

The design, according to Janssen, is engineered to lay flat, easing the transportation and shipping process, and creating a simple installation process. Janssen doesn’t plan on keeping his invention local, telling the Daily Bee that he plans to take his product internationally so that the parabolic collector can be used to help run commercial processes where fuel may be scarce.   

Janssen encourages community members to help raise awareness of his invention’s ability to control renewable energy.  

    Janssen stirring chili that was cooked using the Solar Power 1700 Solar Parabolic Collector.