The Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC) is introducing a new speaker seminar series on current energy issues with a presentation Wednesday evening, November 30, on photovoltaic energy (solar electric systems). The talk will be given by Dr. Christopher Wronski, the Leonard Professor of Microelectronic Materials and Devices at the Pennsylvania State University. Read more
Press Release
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.
FSEC to Hold 30th Anniversary Open House
The Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC) will celebrate its 30th anniversary on Saturday, Oct. 29, with an Open House from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the center in Cocoa.
The day’s events will feature several general interest presentations by FSEC staff on home energy-saving tips, information on tax incentives and rebates, ways to use solar energy for emergencies and disaster relief, and other information on renewable energy technologies, including an overview of hydrogen and fuel cells. There will also be informal chat sessions with researchers, a variety of videos on energy, tours around the center, displays of alternative-fueled vehicles, and many student activities including solar car demonstrations, solar cooking and entertainment.
The event is free and open to the public, so come out and bring your questions on energy to talk with the experts. The event will be held rain or shine. A full schedule of activities will be posted on the FSEC website at www.fsec.ucf.edu.
FSEC is located on the Cocoa campus of Brevard Community College/UCF at 1679 Clearlake Road.
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.
Fuel Cell Technology Course to be held at FSEC
The 2006 Short Course on Fuel Cell Technology will be held at the Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC) in Cocoa, Florida, February 5 – 8, 2006. This course will be presented by FSEC/University of Central Florida and is co-sponsored by Scribner Associates, Inc. and the Electrochemical Society.
This new course will cover both basic and applied aspects of fuel cell technology through integrated lecture and laboratory sessions. Lectures will discuss the theory of fuel cell operation and outline the principles behind state-of-the-art diagnostic techniques. Laboratory sessions will provide hands-on training of fuel cell testing and performance evaluation.
The course is designed for scientists and engineers working in or entering the fuel cell industry; employees of industries that have recently invested or plan to invest in fuel cell technology, and science and engineering gradute students interested in the technology. It will be valuable to anyone wishing to acquire a quick working knowledge of fuel cells.
For complete information on the course, including an agenda, instructors and fees, visit www.fsec.ucf.edu/fuelcellcourse or contact JoAnn at 321-638-1014 or joann@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.