The Energy Chronicle – Page 38 – Energy News from FSEC®, Florida's Premier Energy Research Center, at the University of Central Florida

Solar Power Systems Educate Students, Reduce Costs for Schools and Provide Emergency Power

Sherri Shields Energy News, Press Release July 14, 2011E-Shelter, emergency shelter, PV, schools, solar electricity, SunSmart 7 Comments

COCOA, July 14, 2011 – Nearly 100 Florida schools will be soaking up solar rays to power their buildings this fall thanks to the Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC).

FSEC, a University of Central Florida research institute, is providing each school with a 10-kilowatt, solar photovoltaic (PV) system valued at more than $80,000. These systems allow schools to capture the sun’s rays and turn them into energy to help reduce electricity costs, and they also serve as generators during a power outage. Installation of the systems – under way now – will reduce energy costs by up to $1,500 a year and decrease greenhouse gas emissions.

The photovoltaic system at Oak Hammock Middle School in Ft. Myers is near completion.

Photovoltaics Are Half the Cost of Gasoline!

Sherri Shields Director's Message May 24, 2011electric car, gas prices, gasoline, Photovoltaics, PV 12 Comments

Everyone is impacted by the current high price of gasoline. President Obama gets criticized because the public thinks he can actually control the price, Big oil gets called before Congress because it gets substantial subsidies from taxpayers. And we, the citizens, pay the highest gas prices we have ever paid in the face of one of the country’s most severe economic downturns.

But there is hope for the Sunshine State, as every cloud has a silver lining.

For the past half dozen years or so, the automotive industry has become pretty serious about producing electric cars that work. The new Chevy Volt (Motor Trend’s Car of the Year) and the all-electric Nissan Leaf are good examples – and they are real game changers.

But what does this have to do with the cost of photovoltaics and gasoline?

Students’ Bright Ideas Shine at EnergyWhiz Olympics

Sherri Shields Press Release May 11, 2011Bright House, Cookoff, energy, Energy Innovations, EnergyWhiz Olympics, H2 Sprint, Hands-on Hydrogen, Hydrogen Sprint, JSS, Junior Solar Sprint, PR11-04, Solar Energy Cook-off, Whiz 0 Comment

COCOA, May 11, 2011 – Florida students have creative ideas for solving some of the world’s greatest energy challenges, and their solutions were demonstrated Saturday at the ninth-annual EnergyWhiz Olympics.

More than 900 students throughout Florida converged Saturday, May 7 at the University of Central Florida’s Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC) in Cocoa to compete in the day-long competition showcasing student projects in alternative fuel technologies.

Solar Energy Cookoff teams were judged for their cooker's design. — Solar Energy Cookoff teams were judged on their cooker's design and the dish they cooked.

Events included the Bright House Solar Energy Cookoff, a solar cooker design and cooking contest; the Junior Solar Sprint, model-size solar car races; the High School Hydrogen Sprint and Hands-On-Hydrogen, model-size hydrogen-powered car races; and Energy Innovations, a full-scale solar electric design challenge. Read more

MEDIA ADVISORY: EnergyWhiz Olympics to Feature Students’ Solar Cars, Cookers

Sherri Shields Media Advisory May 2, 2011Bright House, Cookers, cooking, Energy Innovations, Energy Whiz, H2 Sprint, JSS, Junior Solar Sprint, Olympics, Solar Cookoff 0 Comment

The ninth-annual EnergyWhiz Olympics is a daylong event showcasing student projects in alternative energy. Activities include Energy Innovations, Hydrogen Sprint, Hands-On-Hydrogen, Junior Solar Sprint and Bright House Solar Energy Cookoff.

More than 650 Florida elementary, middle and high school students – from as far as Tallahassee and Miami – will participate starting at 9 a.m. Saturday, May 7, at the University of Central Florida’s Florida Solar Energy Center. FSEC is located at Brevard Community College’s Cocoa Campus, 1679 Clearlake Road. The public is invited to attend free of charge.
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UCF’s FSEC Seeks Florida Homeowners for Retrofit Study

Sherri Shields Energy News April 28, 2011energy assessment, energy efficiency, home, homeowner, renovation, retrofit, study, utility bills 12 Comments

Update: July 11, 2011 – The PNNL Website is temporarily down. Applications are no longer being accepted from Florida.

Dear Florida Homeowner,

Are you interested in saving money on your utility bills? Do you wish your home used less energy and was more comfortable? Have you considered investing in a major home renovation? If so, your home may qualify for a free energy assessment, incentives through your local utility company, and free technical assistance from one of the nation’s leading national laboratories.

UCF’s Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC) is partnering with Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) to help homeowners achieve 30 to 50 percent energy savings through home efficiency retrofits! If your house qualifies, your renovation will be part of a research study for PNNL that can help inform the nation about retrofit best practices. Read more