Applications Now Open for the 2006 Florida Energy Achievement Award

Applications are now being accepted for the 2006 “Florida Energy Achievement Award” that recognizes a company, organization or individual that has made a significant achievement in the efficient utilization of energy, energy conservation, energy education or renewable energy in the state of Florida.

The award is presented annually by the Florida Solar Energy Center to recognize statewide leadership in sustainable energy savings. The selected winner will have achieved significant results in energy efficiency, conservation, energy education or the use of renewable energy in their facility or program. Sarasota County Government received the first award that was presented in 2005. Read more

EPEC Awards Program to be Held May 4

The public is invited to attend a reception and awards ceremony for the Exemplary Projects in Energy and Conservation (EPEC) Awards program on Thursday, May 4, at 5 p.m. at the Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC) at 1679 Clearlake Road, Cocoa.

The program was started three years ago as a joint effort between the National Energy Foundation, Johnson Controls and FSEC to recognize Brevard County students who have produced outstanding research relating to renewable energy or energy conservation. This year, 22 students will be honored for their individual projects, along with the top three Energy Patrols from Brevard schools. Three exceptional transportation-related projects will also be recognized by the Space Coast Clean Cities Coalition. Read more

FSEC Honored with Innovation Award for SunSmart Schools Program

The Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC) has been honored by the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) with one of their 2005 Innovation Awards. The award was presented to the center for serving as project lead on “Florida’s SunSmart Schools Program,” a partnership with the Department of Environmental Protection/Florida Energy Office (DEP), the state’s electric utilities and the solar industry.

FSEC administered the activities that installed solar electric systems in several educational institutes in Florida, including K-12 public and private schools, vocational institutes and universities. Read more

Sarasota County Government Wins the First "Florida Energy Achievement Award"

The 2005 Florida Energy Achievement Award, a new program sponsored by the Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC) to recognize significant achievement in the efficient utilization of energy, energy conservation, energy education or renewable energy in Florida, has been awarded to Sarasota County Government.

A wide variety of energy and environmental programs are demonstrating Sarasotas commitment to sustainable principles and practices as part of community building that integrates economic prosperity, social equity and environmental quality.

The FSEC awards committee chose Sarasota for its many programs that reduce organizational energy use, conserve water, and provide support to other agencies and businesses in their community that are interested in energy conservation.

Among the specific programs and activities are the countys policy that all buildings constructed or renovated meet the highest level of green building certification; a holistic approach to watershed management, conservation and protection; environmentally preferred procurement practices; a “green” building incentive/recognition program for local commercial and residential builders; presentation of conservation awards to individuals, businesses and organizations, and having the first school hydrogen fuel cell demonstration project in the country and new hydrogen education curriculum for their schools.

FSEC, the state of Floridas energy research institute, established the new award to recognize statewide leadership in sustainable energy savings. The award was created as part of activities celebrating the center’s 30th anniversary this year, and will be presented annually to an organization, company or individual in the state. In addition to an award given to the winner, there will be permanent recognition in the energy center’s complex in Cocoa.

For more information on this award, contact Ken Sheinkopf at 321-638-1007 or Sheinkopf@fsec.ucf.edu.

The Florida Solar Energy Center, a research institute of the University of Central Florida, is the largest and most active state-supported energy research center in the country. Current research activities include solar water and pool heating, solar electric and distributed generation systems, energy-efficient buildings, alternative transportation systems, hydrogen fuel, fuel cells and other energy areas. For more information about the center, visit www.fsec.ucf.edu or call the FSEC Public Affairs Office at (321) 638-1015.

The Florida Energy Achievement Awards

The Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC) is pleased to announce the creation of the “Florida Energy Achievement Awards.” This new annual award will recognize a company, organization or individual that has made a significant achievement in the efficient utilization of energy, energy conservation, energy education or renewable energy in the state of Florida.

The award will be presented each October to recognize statewide leadership in sustainable energy savings. The selected winner will have achieved significant results in energy efficiency, conservation, energy education or the use of renewable energy in their facility or program. Read more