Press Release

FSEC Tax Credit Compliance Software First to be Accredited by National Energy Services Network

Sherri Shields Press Release , ,

“We’re Number One!” is a cheer usually heard at sports events, but they’re saying it a lot these days in the research labs and offices at the Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC).

That’s because FSEC’s widely acclaimed new software that allows homebuilders around the country to easily and accurately take advantage of the new $2,000 federal tax credits for energy-efficient homes has been selected the first – and so far, the only – software listed in the National Registry of accredited Tax Credit Compliance Software. The listing, maintained by the Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET), provides information to builders, energy raters, mortgage brokers, tax analysts and others on RESNET accredited software programs for the new tax rules. It is online at http://www.resnet.us/programs/taxcredit_software/directory.htm . Read more

Southeast Students Compete in Middle School Science Bowl at FSEC

Sherri Shields Press Release , , ,

A record-setting 33 teams participated in the Southeast Regional Middle School Science Bowl hosted by the Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC) on April 1, making this annual event one of the largest regional science bowl competitions in the nation.

The Science Bowl is designed to encourage middle school students to excel in mathematics, science and engineering. The event features both a fast-paced question-and-answer competition and a hands-on engineering event. Teams participate in the academic competition until one winning team remains. The top eight teams then participate in a hands-on science activity, building and racing a hydrogen fuel cell model car. Read more

China Renewable Energy Development Project Members Visit FSEC

Sherri Shields Press Release , ,

A delegation of high-level officials of the Chinese solar electricity industry and the foremost experts in their policy and market development areas, participating in the China Renewable Energy Development Project, (REDP), visited the Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC) in Cocoa, Florida on March 13 as part of their study tour of solar electric businesses and institutions in the United States. In addition to visiting FSEC, the group met with major photovoltaics (solar electric) manufacturers in the New York and Boston area and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Colorado. Read more

Florida Solar Energy Center Selected to Lead Three National Research Programs

Sherri Shields Press Release , , , , ,

The Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC) has been selected to receive more than $15 million from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) over a five-year period to conduct research in three major energy areas: fuel cells, industrialized housing, and building energy simulation.

FSEC, a research institute of the University of Central Florida (UCF), will lead nationwide teams of researchers from universities, DOE’s national laboratories and industry in the three projects. Read more

FSEC Director Testifies Before Florida Senate Committee on Communications and Public Utilities

Sherri Shields Press Release , , , ,

Tallahassee, Florida, January 10, 2006: The state of Florida can save almost 25 trillion kilowatt hours of its projected 2014 energy use with consumer savings of $450 million by increasing the use of home energy efficiency and renewable energy systems, both of which are eligible for new federal tax credits.

That’s the message from Dr. James Fenton, Director of the Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC), in a presentation he gave before the state’s Senate Committee on Communications and Public Utilities on January 10. Read more