Feature Story

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.

FSEC Working Remotely: How to Keep in Touch With Us

Sherri Shields Feature Story 0 Comment

Although the FSEC facility is closed due to COVID-19, FSEC/UCF employees are working remotely and are here to help you to the best of our ability. Here’s how to reach out to us:

EnergyGauge Software Support
https://support.energygauge.com/support/home or 321-323-7255

Solar Certification
pvsystem@fsec.ucf.edu 

Workforce & Business Development
ckettles@fsec.ucf.edu

General Information
info@fsec.ucf.edu or 321-638-1015

Communications & Marketing
sherri@fsec.ucf.edu

K-12 Education
susan@fsec.ucf.edu

 

 

Cloudy Skies Add to Real-World Learning Challenges at EnergyWhiz

Sherri Shields Awards, Feature Story, Media Advisory , , , , , , 1 Comment

By Sherri Shields

COCOA, Fla.,  May 21, 2018—A blanket of cloud-covered skies can be a real challenge for students to race Junior Solar Sprint (JSS) cars and keep solar oven temperatures sufficient for cooking.

Sam’s Speed Shop from McLane Middle School in Brandon, FL won first place in Race competition, second place in Most Innovative Design, and third place in the Best Design competition in the Blue Division (grades 7&8). Photo: Liza Robles

Although the sun never peeked through the clouds for the EnergyWhiz competitions on Saturday, May 12th, at the University of Central Florida’s Florida Solar Energy Center in Cocoa, the JSS cars were still able to race. “One thing we’ve learned since hosting EnergyWhiz for the past 15 years is that if you want to stay on schedule, you need a backup plan in case the weather doesn’t cooperate,” said Susan Schleith, K-12 Education program director. “Battery backup is now an essential part of the car design, for situations like this.”

Female student from Saturn Elementary School and a male student prepare to race their Junior Solar Sprint cars, which were modified to run on batteries instead of solar due to the cloudy sky.
Female student from Students prepare to race their Junior Solar Sprint cars, which were modified to run on batteries instead of solar due to the cloudy sky. Photo: Leon Flowers

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FPL Offers 50%* Discount Toward Training at Florida Solar Energy Center

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In an effort to make professional training for the installation of solar water heating (SWH) and photovoltaic (PV) solar systems more accessible to licensed electrical, plumbing, and solar contractors and their employees, Florida Power & Light Company is offering a discount for training classes conducted by the Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC) in Cocoa, Florida.

How it works:
1. Visit www.FPL.com/trainingdiscount and fill out the eligibility form
2. FPL will verify eligibility and send an email with a promotion code
for the discount
3. Visit the FSEC website to register for the course(s) and enter the promotion code to receive the discounted course pricing

An essential part of the workshops are the installation instruction sessions. These concentrate on proper system installation and include roof mounting and sealing of both photovoltaic modules and solar water heating collectors on various Florida roof types. This includes a basic understanding of the design and installation methods used to ensure that modules and collectors are securely mounted. Identification of the various hurricane wind regions in Florida and the maximum wind speed requirements solar panels must withstand in each region.

Students attending the FSEC workshops will receive an “FSEC Certificate of Course Completion” once they successfully complete the course(s). Florida Construction Industry Licensing Board and Electrical Industry Licensing Board continuing education credits are also available for those taking the Photovoltaic System Workshop (18 credits). These are credits that licensed contractors need for renewal of their license.

* In order to be eligible for the discount, class participants must work for a licensed electrical, plumbing or solar contractor doing business in FPL’s service area, provide their valid contractor license number and agree to the terms releasing FPL from any liability. FPL discount available for all Solar Water Heating Systems and Photovoltaic Systems Workshops offered through 2014.