In the City of Demorests’s executive session Tuesday night, the council heard a proposal to enter into a licensing agreement with Councilman John Hendrix, who has patented solar energy technology that he wants to share with the city.
In a 3-0 vote, with Hendrix recusing himself, the council unanimously approved the agreement.
“Dr. Hendrx and Mei Hendrix [have] a patent on a solar product that generates electricity, that product is similar to solar panels but a little bit different,” said Demorest Mayor Jerry Harkness. “What we’re doing is [we] approved to allow the city to enter into a licensing agreement with the Hendrixes to utilize that patent that they’re so graciously allowing us to utilize.”
The city plans to consult with engineers to see how viable the project would be for the city, and apply for federal and state grants that…