Author: Sherri Shields

Managing Solar Gain – In southern climates, the sun’s heat is a load to be minimized.

Sherri Shields Energy News, FSEC in the News 0 Comment

FSEC researchers studied a set of test buildings in Cocoa, Fla., extrapolated the data and using building energy simulations, and estimated the benefits of white reflective walls in other locations. “According to the modeling, going from dark walls to white walls could save about 12% on cooling costs in cities like Orlando, Miami, New Orleans, or Houston.”

Builder | October 16, 2020

DOE Says Combining Floating Solar With Hydroelectric Could Provide 40% Of The World’s Energy Needs

Sherri Shields Feature Story, FSEC in the News , 0 Comment

iStock | Getty Images. Solar panels in aerial view, rows array of polycrystalline silicon solar cells or photovoltaics in solar power plant floating on the water in lake.A study by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory suggests that if floating solar was installed on hydro reservoirs globally, the hybrid systems could generate anywhere from 16% to 40% of the world’s demand for electricity. FSEC’s John Sherwin, program manager of testing and certification, agrees and speculates the generation to be on the middle to lower end of that scale, without first researching how solar panels respond to the stress of being on the water, as well as other variables.

CleanTechnica | October 5, 2020

EnergyWhiz and Earth Day: Changing Gears Yet Still Celebrating with Fun Solar & Environmental Activities

Sherri Shields Energy News, Feature Story 0 Comment

EnergyWhiz sun logo holding Earth in it's hands.Although COVID-19 put the brakes on the annual EnergyWhiz event and Earth Day celebration at FSEC Energy Research Center in Cocoa this year, there are many ways to celebrate Earth Day’s 50th Anniversay while also meeting social distancing guidelines.

FSEC offers several free online activities and fun experiments that students, teachers, and parents can do right from their homes.

  • Did you know that you could cook without electricity or fire? Learn how to make several different solar ovens using simple materials.
  • Did you ever wonder how people used to tell time without a clock or watch? Learn to make two different sundials.
  • Do you know how to purify water using only a few simple materials? Discover how easy it is to learn one way to be self-sufficient.
  • Do you need to relax and be creative at the same time? Feel free to color outside the lines of an environmentally-focused coloring book:
    • Planet Janitor. This English/Spanish editionThe Planet Janitor Coloring Book Spanish/English Edition environmental coloring book illustrates how the world is in our hands.
    • Take a Trip to Clean Air. This environmental coloring book explores the various alternative fuels available for transportation.
  • TEACHERS: Did you know FSEC offers a solar curricula for students in grades K-2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12 that meets Florida State Standards?

Learn about these activities and more at: http://www.energywhiz.com/

EnergyWhiz—a renewable energy-focused event for students to demonstrate their science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM) capabilities through project-based learning activities—will be back next year, shining a light on student creativity, ingenuity and teamwork. Mark your calendars for April 24, 2021. Learn more at: www.fsec.ucf.edu/go/energywhiz.