Eligible participants will be compensated $50 for the initial study, and up to $680 for those who are selected to participate in the monitoring and repair portion of the project; repair costs will be paid by FSEC. Homes for the study are being sought in the following Florida counties: Brevard, Osceola, Orange, Seminole, Volusia, Lake, Marion, Putnam, Flagler, St. Johns, Clay, Duval and Nassau.

Wind-driven attic air is pushed into the space between floors.

Wind washing involves the flow of air from an attic space into the floor cavity between the first and second stories of the house. Homes with wind washing are likely to experience increased utility costs and, in some cases, indoor comfort problems.

The FSEC research team will be conducting about five hours of testing in each home. Testing will examine airtightness, air pressure fields in the house, air conditioner performance, duct leakage and attic-to-floor cavity air leak pathways.

Twenty-four homes will be tested. Six of those homes will be selected for repairs, and they will be monitored to evaluate the cooling and heating energy savings from the repairs.

The findings of this research study will help to inform contractors and utility programs on methods for identifying and repairing wind washing problems in homes.

If you are interested in participating in this research project, visit http://www.fsec.ucf.edu/go/TwoStory or contact Jeremy Nelson at 407-243-8197 or jnelson@fsec.ucf.edu.

About FSEC
The Florida Solar Energy Center, a research institute of the University of Central Florida, is the largest and most active state-supported energy research institute in the nation. Current divisions and their research activities include Advanced Energy Research: alternative transportation systems, hydrogen fuel and fuel cells; Buildings Research: energy-efficient buildings; and Solar Energy: solar water and pool heating and solar electric and distributed generation systems. For more information about the center, visit http://www.floridaenergycenter.org or call the FSEC Public Affairs Office at 321-638-1015.

UCF Stands For Opportunity
The University of Central Florida is a metropolitan research university that ranks as the 2nd largest in the nation with more than 56,000 students. UCF’s first classes were offered in 1968. The university offers impressive academic and research environments that power the region’s economic development. UCF’s culture of opportunity is driven by our diversity, Orlando environment, history of entrepreneurship and our youth, relevance and energy. For more information visit http://news.ucf.edu.
###

PR11-06

Share/Save

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.

Each ground-mounted, 1000-square-foot PV system is capable of providing enough power to run a small appliance like a fridge, overhead lighting or series of electrical outlets.

Schools are getting the systems through the SunSmart Schools E-Shelter program, which was created with a $10 million stimulus grant. A leader in solar energy research, FSEC is coordinating the program and providing educational materials for teachers to use with students, as well as training for school faculty and staff.

“Having these photovoltaic systems in plain view on the school campuses is that first step in raising awareness about this important renewable energy technology,” said Susan Schleith, FSEC project manager for the SunSmart program. “And when a student, parent or teacher asks, ‘What is that and what does it do?,’ that’s when the learning begins.”

Schools receiving the systems are from around the state and include elementary, middle and high schools as well as one college. They were selected to take part in the program based on their status as an emergency shelter, demographics, and their renewable energy education and outreach plans.

Each PV system is connected to the utility electric grid, supplements the school’s electricity during normal operations and keeps a bank of back-up batteries charged. In the event the school is being used as a shelter and there’s an electrical outage, the system powers critical items in the shelter, using the back-up batteries when the sun isn’t shining.

For classroom learning, the system also functions as a learning resource, allowing students and teachers to see how much energy their system is producing, study the relationship between the environment and the PV system and explore the basics of electricity.

At the Academy of Natural Resources at Island Coast High School in Cape Coral, Fla., students take classes in subjects such as environmental science, solar energy and aquaculture. Science teacher Cherie Sukovich says the system will increase students’ understanding of how weather and other environmental factors play a role in capturing the sun’s rays.

“It gives us a very concrete, real-world way to show them an abstract concept,” she said.

Vergona-Bowersox Electric Inc., of Boca Raton, is installing the solar systems at the schools and will finish by 2012.

Following is the list of participating schools. For more information about the program, visit www.fsec.ucf.edu/go/sunsmart.

About FSEC

The Florida Solar Energy Center, a research institute of the University of Central Florida, is the largest and most active state-supported energy research institute in the nation. Current divisions and their research activities include Advanced Energy Research: alternative transportation systems, hydrogen fuel and fuel cells; Buildings Research: energy-efficient buildings; and Solar Energy: solar water and pool heating and solar electric and distributed generation systems. For more information about the center, visit http://www.floridaenergycenter.org or call the FSEC Public Affairs Office at 321-638-1015.

UCF Stands For Opportunity
The University of Central Florida is a metropolitan research university that ranks as the 2nd largest in the nation with more than 56,000 students. UCF’s first classes were offered in 1968. The university offers impressive academic and research environments that power the region’s economic development. UCF’s culture of opportunity is driven by our diversity, Orlando environment, history of entrepreneurship and our youth, relevance and energy. For more information visit http://news.ucf.edu.

###

PR11-05

Share/Save

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 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.

The Bright House Solar Energy Cookoff challenged students to design and build solar cookers, and also cook a recipe of their own creation in their oven. Students’ creative dishes – such as O’Sol Meatballs and Kicken’ Swamp Cabbage – were judged on taste, ingredients and creativity.

The Junior Solar Sprint cars not only raced on the track, but were also judged on vehicle design, quality of craftsmanship, and innovation.

One of the most popular events is the Junior Solar Sprint (JSS), where students in grades 6-8 design, construct and race solar-powered vehicles. This hands-on competition encourages scientific know-how, creative thinking, experimentation and teamwork. Awards were given based on vehicle design, quality of craftsmanship, innovation and vehicle speed.

Hydrogen fuel cell cars gain speed every year.

The Hands-On-Hydrogen competition for middle school students, and the Hydrogen (H2) Sprint, a competition for high school students in grades 9-12, challenges students to design, build and race model-sized cars powered by hydrogen fuel cells. The competitions expose students to hydrogen’s potential as an alternative fuel source. The H2 Sprint provides graduates of the JSS program an opportunity to continue designing and building alternative-fueled vehicles. Student teams not only showcased their skill on the track, but they also demonstrated their understanding of hydrogen in a 10-minute presentation.

Students develop creative ways to utilize full-size photovoltaic panels in the Energy Innovations competition.

The Energy Innovations program is a full-scale solar electric design and marketing challenge for middle and high school students. Each team designed and constructed a product or artistic work fully powered by photovoltaic panels, more commonly known as solar electric panels. Additionally, teams created marketing pieces, such as brochures, fliers, and posters, to promote their innovative product and educate spectators.

The Bright House Solar Energy Cookoff doubled in size this year.

“Our event continues to grow each year,” said Susan Schleith, education coordinator at FSEC. “The number of solar cooking teams doubled compared to last year and we had more than 70 solar car entries – a new record. It’s gratifying to see more and more students excited about alternative energy.”

Competition results are listed below. Photos of the award winners are available on our Facebook page at FloridaSolarEnergyCenter, or visit www.fsec.ucf.edu/go/energywhiz for more event photos.

JUNIOR SOLAR SPRINT

6^th Grade Race

1^st Place –
Pine View School (car #62, Last Minute Candy Machine), Osprey

2^nd Place –
Gulf Coast Academy (car #37, Jamacia), Spring Hill

3^rd Place –
Hollywood Christian Academy (car #11, Geiko), Hollywood

7^th Grade Race

1^st Place –
McLane Middle School (car #15, Vibot 2), Brandon

2^nd Place –
Jupiter Middle School (car #28, Robin-Sun), Jupiter

3^rd Place –
Conway Middle School (car #68, Kramer’s Favorite), Orlando

8^th Grade Race

1^st Place –
McLane Middle School (car #14, Vibot 1), Brandon

2^nd Place –
McLane Middle School (car #16, Vibot 3), Brandon

3^rd Place –
Cornerstone Middle School, (car #50, S-Car-Go), Tallahassee

Most Innovative Vehicle Design (overall)

1^st Place –
Cocoa Beach Jr/Sr High School (car #13), 7^th grade team, Merritt Island

2^nd Place –
Hollywood Christian Academy (car #12), 7^th grade team, Hollywood

3^rd Place –
Einstein Montessori School (car #48), 8^th grade team, Cocoa

Best Vehicle Design (overall)

1^st Place –
McLane Middle School (car #14), 7^th grade team, Brandon

2^nd Place –
McLane Middle School (car #16), 7^th grade team, Brandon

3^rd Place –
Hollywood Christian Academy (car #12), 7^th grade team, Hollywood

HYDROGEN SPRINT

1^st Place Race –
Edgewood Jr/Sr High (Imperial High Inquisitors), Merritt Island

1^st Place Design –
Edgewood Jr/Sr High (Imperial High Inquisitors), Merritt Island

1^st Place Performance –
Edgewood Jr/Sr High (Race Girls), Merritt Island

Overall Ranking:

1^st Place –
Edgewood Jr/Sr High (Imperial High Inquisitors), Merritt Island

2^nd Place –
Edgewood Jr/Sr High (Race Girls), Merritt Island

3^rd Place –
Edgewood Jr/Sr High (H₂ Fuel Cows), Merritt Island

HANDS-ON-HYDROGEN

1^st Place Design –
Edgewood Jr/Sr High (car #2, The Hula), Merritt Island

1^st Place Overall –
McLain Middle (car #17, H₂ Go), Brandon
2^nd Place Overall –
Andrew Jackson Middle School (car #8, Fred), Titusville

3^rd Place Overall –
Trinity Prepatory (car #1, Brain the Train), Winter Park

BRIGHT HOUSE SOLAR COOKOFF

Elementary School Division

WOW! Award –
Hollywood Christian (#21, Metallic Core), Hollywood

1^st Place Cooker Design –
Fellsmere Elemen. (#18, The Baja Grillers), Fellsmere

2^nd Place Cooker Design –
Knight’s Elementary (#13, Whiz Kids), Plant City

3^rd Place Cooker Design –
Hollywood Christian (#21, Metallic Core), Hollywood

1^st Place Solar Chef –
Fellsmere Elemen. (#18, The Baja Grillers), Fellsmere

2^nd Place Solar Chef –
Fellsmere Elemen. (#17, Cocina del Sol), Fellsmere

3^rd Place Solar Chef –
Hollywood Christian (#21, Metallic Core), Hollywood

Middle School Division

WOW! Award –
Edgewood Jr/Sr High (#8, Panda Dynasty), Merritt Island

1^st Place Cooker Design –
Hidden Oaks Middle (#18, Alessa Grill), Palm City

2^nd Place Cooker Design –
Hidden Oaks Middle (#17, Sol Power), Palm City

3^rd Place Cooker Design –
Conway Middle (#25, Chef JLJ), Orlando

1^st Place Solar Chef –
Edgewood Jr/Sr High (#8, Panda Dynasty), Merritt Island

2^nd Place Solar Chef –
Hidden Oaks Middle (#18, Alessa Grill), Palm City

3^rd Place Solar Chef –
South Seminole Middle (#4, International Cooking Flare), Casselberry

Energy Innovations

Wow! Award (combined division) –
Gulf Coast Academy (NEXXAN Sun Glider), Spring Hill

Middle School

1^st Place Photovoltaic Design –
Gulf Coast Academy (NEXXAN Sun Glider), Spring Hill

2^nd Place Photovoltaic Design –
Edgewood Jr/Sr High (The Air Heads), Merritt Island

3^rd Place Photovoltaic Design –
Edgewood Jr/Sr High (The Dukes), Merritt Island
High School

1^st Place Photovoltaic Design –
Pasco High (Solar Tricycle), Dade City

2^nd Place Photovoltaic Design –
South Broward High (Sun Tiki), Hollywood

3^rd Place Photovoltaic Design –
Edgewood Jr/Sr High (The Happy Cows), Merritt Island

###

PR11-04

Share/Save

Initial research at the Flexible Residential Test Facility will focus on energy improvement potentials in vintage Florida homes. Those constructed prior to 1975 make up 63 percent of Florida’s more than eight million existing homes, which represents a substantial energy and cost savings potential for cost-effective, “deep” home energy improvements, or retrofits. Prospective savings could result in 30 to 50 percent of current residential energy use.

Funded by the state’s Florida Energy Systems Consortium, the research facility was instrumental in attracting a major multi-million dollar, four-year research grant from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).

Cutting the ribbon at the opening of the Flexible Residential Test Facility are (left to right) Robin Vieira, Director, Buildings Research at Florida Solar Energy Center; David Lee, U.S. Department of Energy’s Director of Residential Building Programs; James Fenton, Director, Florida Solar Energy Center.

“As we address greenhouse gas emissions, we have to look at retrofitting existing homes. This facility will be instrumental in researching the impacts of home energy efficiency improvements in hot climates,” said Mr. David Lee, U.S. Department of Energy’s Director of Residential Building Programs.

The facility consists of two side-by-side homes that will assist researchers in evaluating a large variety of both envelope and systems improvements. The homes will be heavily instrumented, and occupancy effects will be simulated by scheduled computer-controlled heat and moisture generation and appliance use. Monitored results from these experiments will test and verify computer simulation models now in widespread use for existing and new home energy efficiency evaluation.

For more information about this new research facility, contact Robin Vieira, Buildings Research Director at robin@fsec.ucf.edu or 321-638-1404.

FSEC – Creating Energy Independence: The Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC), a research institute of the University of Central Florida, is the largest and most active state-supported energy research institute in the nation. Current divisions and their research activities include Advanced Energy Research: alternative transportation systems, hydrogen fuel and fuel cells; Buildings Research: energy-efficient buildings; and Solar Energy: solar water and pool heating and solar electric and distributed generation systems. For more information about the center, visit http://www.floridaenergycenter.org or call the FSEC Public Affairs Office at 321-638-1015.

UCF Stands For Opportunity: The University of Central Florida is a metropolitan research university that ranks as the 2nd largest in the nation with more than 56,000 students. UCF’s first classes were offered in 1968. The university offers impressive academic and research environments that power the region’s economic development. UCF’s culture of opportunity is driven by our diversity, Orlando environment, history of entrepreneurship and our youth, relevance and energy. For more information, visit http://news.ucf.edu.

PR11-01

Share/Save

FSEC – a research institute of the University of Central Florida and the leading statewide solar energy training facility in Florida – is now offering the course, Photovoltaic System Technical Sales. The continuing education course focuses on technical knowledge and best practices for successful photovoltaic (solar electric) sales. The two-day course begins Jan. 12 in Cocoa.

Designed for sales personnel, contractors and solar practitioners who market photovoltaic (PV) systems, this course will provide participants with the necessary knowledge and tools to:

• Evaluate the needs of a potential PV system customer
• Perform a site analysis to determine the feasibility of installing a PV system
• Select or design a system that best meets a customer’s needs
• Prepare a proposal for a customer that presents design specifications, performance estimates, an installation schedule, costs and benefits.

“This is the first time that we’ve offered this course, and it will be a dynamic class,” said John Harrison, solar energy training manager at FSEC. “We have top-notch instructors with public and private sector market experience in photovoltaics.”

Participants will receive lecture presentations and a hands-on demonstration on conducting a site survey and analysis, in addition to seeing a demonstration of PV components.

The only prerequisite to the course is that students should have a basic understanding of electrical systems and their properties and terminology.

This course is very closely aligned with the new task analysis of the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners’ (NABCEP) PV Technical Sales Certification Program and should help participants prepare for the NABCEP exam. For more information on eligibility requirements, visit http://www.nabcep.org/certification/pv-technical-sales-certification.

Register and learn more about FSEC’s Photovoltaic System Technical Sales course at www.fsec.ucf.edu/go/pvtechsales.

FSEC – Creating Energy Independence: The Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC), a research institute of the University of Central Florida, is the largest and most active state-supported energy research institute in the nation. Current divisions and their research activities include Advanced Energy Research: alternative transportation systems, hydrogen fuel and fuel cells; Buildings Research: energy-efficient buildings; and Solar Energy: solar water and pool heating and solar electric and distributed generation systems. For more information about the center, visit http://www.floridaenergycenter.org or call the FSEC Public Affairs Office at 321-638-1015.

UCF Stands For Opportunity: The University of Central Florida is a metropolitan research university that ranks as the 2nd largest in the nation with more than 56,000 students. UCF’s first classes were offered in 1968. The university offers impressive academic and research environments that power the region’s economic development. UCF’s culture of opportunity is driven by our diversity, Orlando environment, history of entrepreneurship and our youth, relevance and energy. For more information, visit http://news.ucf.edu.

###

Share/Save

The grant, given under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, will expand FSEC’s weatherization training program, which provides inspectors, contractors and other skilled workers training courses in energy efficiency retrofitting and weatherization services, such as house air sealing and air duct diagnoses and repair.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) selected 34 projects in 27 states to develop or expand weatherization training centers. FSEC is one of three training centers in Florida selected to receive part of the $29 million in funding.

Under the Recovery Act, the Obama Administration is making unprecedented investments to help build a clean energy future, including $5 billion to significantly ramp up the pace of weatherization in the United States.

“A well-trained workforce will be a crucial part of America’s clean energy economy in the years ahead,” said Deputy Secretary of Energy Daniel Poneman. “These investments in efficiency training programs will help build a foundation for long-term growth in America. Energy efficiency improves the competitiveness of our economy, benefits the environment, and puts Americans back to work.”

FSEC plans to expand the scope and curriculum of their training center, originally created to train 150 weatherization inspectors for Florida’s Department of Community Affairs.

The new FSEC courses will integrate Florida-specific weatherization protocols into DOE-standardized weatherization training curricula. Additional training models will be developed to enrich learning and allow increased hands-on testing and measurements. The new course offerings will be applicable to inspectors, contractors and program managers.

The advanced training classes will include:

• house envelope air sealing concepts and approaches,
• duct diagnosis and repair,
• resolving unbalanced return air problems,
• solving wind washing problems,
• the use of infrared thermography to diagnose thermal and air leakage failures in buildings, and
• combustion safety.

“Our training courses will not only teach students weatherization and energy efficiency techniques, but also the safety issues involved when the air tightness of a building is changed,” said Neil Moyer, principal research engineer at FSEC.

The 34 DOE-selected projects will significantly expand access to weatherization training, while improving the quality and consistency of training nationwide.

These investments will continue to build on the Administration’s efforts to expand the green workforce and build a self-sustaining energy retrofit industry that creates high-quality jobs, while improving the environment and saving energy.

For more information, including the complete list of award recipients, see the DOE announcement online at http://www.energy.gov/news/9029.htm.

Share/Save

As part of the SunSmart Schools Emergency Shelter (E-Shelter) program, administered by UCF’s Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC), 90 public schools in Florida will each receive a PV system with battery backup. The grant money for the $10 million state program came from federal economic stimulus funds.

FSEC will host a free Webinar for potential bidders to address any questions about the Invitation to Bid. The Webinar will be on June 2; a morning and afternoon session is available. Pre-registration is required and space is limited – only one registrant from each company is permitted.

Bids will be evaluated for compliance with the program specifications, including a requirement for American-made products. Awards will be made to the lowest qualified bidder in each of eight regions of the state.

Contractor selection is expected by late June, with installation at the schools expected to begin in August. All 90 systems will be installed at the schools by early 2012.

The 10-kilowatt solar electric system will provide power to the shelter during outages for critical energy needs such as lighting, communications and essential medical equipment. During normal operations, it will offset electricity costs to the school and reduce greenhouse gases.

The Invitation to Bid document can be downloaded from UCF at: http://www.purchasing.ucf.edu/bids/Bid%20solicitations/
Luis%20Aviles/ITB%201030LCSA/1030LCSA.doc.

Register for the Webinar at: http://livewire.fsec.ucf.edu/sunsmart/webinar/installer_prereg.html

Following is a list of the finalist schools selected for the E-Shelter program.

For more information about the program, visit www.fsec.ucf.edu/go/sunsmart.

About FSEC
The Florida Solar Energy Center, a research institute of the University of Central Florida, is the largest and most active state-supported energy research institute in the nation. Current divisions and their research activities include Advanced Energy Research: alternative transportation systems, hydrogen fuel and fuel cells; Buildings Research: energy-efficient buildings; and Solar Energy: solar water and pool heating and solar electric and distributed generation systems. For more information about the center, visit http://www.floridaenergycenter.org or call the FSEC Public Affairs Office at 321-638-1015.

UCF Stands For Opportunity
The University of Central Florida is a metropolitan research university that ranks as the 3rd largest in the nation with more than 53,500 students. UCF’s first classes were offered in 1968. The university offers impressive academic and research environments that power the region’s economic development. UCF’s culture of opportunity is driven by our diversity, Orlando environment, history of entrepreneurship and our youth, relevance and energy. For more information visit http://news.ucf.edu.

###

PR10-07

Share/Save

More than 500 students throughout Florida converged May 1 at the University of Central Florida’s Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC) in

Students from Tallahassee to Miami participated in this year's EnergyWhiz Olympics in Cocoa on May 1st.

Cocoa to compete in the day-long competition that showcased student projects in alternative fuel technologies.

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, model-size hydrogen-powered car races; and Energy Innovations, a full-scale solar electric design challenge.

Students cook a dish in their solar oven and then judges taste-test it.

The Bright House Solar Energy Cookoff challenged students to design and build solar cookers, and also cook a recipe of their own creation in their oven. Students’ creative dishes were judged on taste, ingredients and creativity.

One of the most popular events is the Junior Solar Sprint, where students in grades 6-8 design, construct and race solar-powered vehicles. This hands-on competition encourages scientific know-how, creative thinking, experimentation and teamwork. Awards were given based on vehicle design, quality of craftsmanship, innovation and vehicle speed. This year, 63 teams competed.

Which solar-powered car will make it to the end of the 30 meter track the fastest?

“Clear skies and improved car designs made for a speedy race,” said Susan Schleith, education coordinator at FSEC. Teams had at least two opportunities to demonstrate their vehicles’ performance in the double elimination format. One of the top cars was clocked at 6.7 meters per second, or 15 mph.

Hydrogen Sprint model cars are powered by fuel cells.

The Hydrogen Sprint, a competition for high school students in grades 9-12, allows students to design, build and race model-sized cars powered by hydrogen fuel cells. This competition exposes students to hydrogen’s potential as an alternative fuel source and also gives graduates of the Junior Solar Sprint program an opportunity to continue designing and building alternative-fueled vehicles. Participating teams also gave 10-minute presentations demonstrating their understanding of hydrogen.

The Energy Innovations program is a full-scale solar electric design and marketing challenge for middle and high school students. Each team designed and constructed a product or artistic work fully powered by photovoltaic panels, more commonly known as solar electric panels. Teams also created marketing pieces, such as brochures, fliers, and posters, to accompany their products.

The Emergency Medical Cooler uses solar electricity to keep it cold.

“It’s impressive to see student teams creating projects that will benefit others in time of need,” said Penny Hall, event coordinator of the EnergyWhiz Olympics, referring to the Emergency Medical Cooler designed by Orlando’s Olympia High School in response to Haiti’s recent earthquake.

Competition results are listed below. Photos are available upon request; contact Sherri Shields at 321-638-1019.

Junior Solar Sprint

6^th Grade Race

1^st Place –  Gulf Coast Academy of Science & Technology, Spring Hill

2^nd Place – Lockhart Middle School, Orlando

3^rd Place – Pine View School, Sarasota

7^th Grade Race

1^st Place – Lockhart Middle School, Orlando

2^nd Place – Southwest Middle School, Palm Bay

3^rd Place – Orlando Science Schools, Orlando

8^th Grade Race

1^st Place – Jupiter Middle School (car #41), Jupiter

2^nd Place – Jupiter Middle School (car #64), Jupiter

3^rd Place – Trinity Preparatory School, Winter Park

Most Innovative Vehicle Design (overall)

1^st Place – Conway Middle School, 7^th grade team, Orlando

2^nd Place – Edgewood Jr/Sr High, 7^th grade team, Merritt Island

3^rd Place – Cornerstone Learning Academy, 6^th grade team, Tallahassee

Best Vehicle Design (overall)

1^st Place – McLane Middle School, 7^th grade team, Brandon

2^nd Place – Edgewood Jr/Sr High, 7^th grade team, Merritt Island

3^rd Place – McLane Middle School, 8^th grade team, Brandon

Hydrogen Sprint

1^st Place Race – Trinity Preparatory School, Winter Park

1^st Place Vehicle Design – Olympia High, Orlando

1^st Place Team Performance – Alexander Dreyfoos School of the Arts, Palm Beach

Overall Ranking

1^st Place – Trinity Preparatory, Winter Park

2^nd Place – Edgewood Jr/Sr High, Merritt Island

3^rd Place – Alexander Dreyfoos School of the Arts, Palm Beach

Bright House Solar Cookoff

Elementary School Division

1^st Place Cooker Design – Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy, Indialantic

2^nd Place Cooker Design – Jupiter Elementary School, Palm Bay

3^rd Place Cooker Design – New School Preparatory, Orlando

1^st Place Solar Chef – Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy (team #8), Indialantic

2^nd Place Solar Chef – Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy (team #9), Indialantic

3^rd Place Solar Chef – St. Martha Catholic School, Sarasota

Middle School Division

1^st Place Cooker Design – Sweetwater Branch Academy, Gainesville

2^nd Place Cooker Design – Edgewood Jr/Sr High, Merritt Island

3^rd Place Cooker Design – Lincoln Middle School, Gainesville

1^st Place Solar Chef – Edgewood Jr/Sr High (team #1), Merritt Island

2^nd Place Solar Chef – Edgewood Jr/Sr High (team #13), Merritt Island

3^rd Place Solar Chef – South Seminole Middle School, Casselberry

Energy Innovations

Middle School

1^st Place Photovoltaic Design – South Seminole Middle School, Casselberry,
The Super Solar Cart 3000

2^nd Place Photovoltaic Design – St. Paul Lutheran School, Lakeland,
Going Buggy With Solar

3^rd Place Photovoltaic Design – Gulf Coast Academy of Science & Technology,
Spring Hill, Apollo’s Angels

High School

1^st Place Photovoltaic Design –  Olympia High School, Orlando,
EMC Emergency Medical Cooler

2^nd Place Photovoltaic Design – Holy Trinity Episcopal School, Melbourne,
Solar Irrigation Pumping Station

3^rd Place Photovoltaic Design – Edgewood Jr/Sr High, Merritt Island,
Solar Home Innovations

Wow! Award (combined division) – Bayside High School, Palm Bay,
Solar Powered Hydrogen Fuel Cell

Share/Save

The 10-kilowatt solar electric system will provide power to the shelter during outages for critical energy needs such as lighting, communications and essential medical equipment. During normal operations, it will offset electricity costs to the school and reduce greenhouse gases. Funding for the $10 million state program came from federal economic stimulus funds.

The 90 finalist schools (listed below) were selected from the 213 applications submitted, representing 45 of the 67 counties in Florida.

“Ideally, we wanted to have each county in Florida represented, but we’re pleased to have shelters spread throughout the state, with at least one shelter in each of the counties that applied,” said Susan Schleith, project manager of the SunSmart E-Shelter program.

Schools were ranked based on demographics, emergency shelter needs, partnerships, and renewable energy education and outreach plans. Twenty alternate schools were also selected. Final acceptance into the program is dependent on a successful visit to the school by the FSEC engineering and emergency management teams to determine site suitability. In the event any of the finalists are deemed not suitable for installation, or if additional funding is obtained, alternate schools will move to finalist status.

The next stage of the process is to determine who will install the solar systems. The University of Central Florida will select the contractors through a formal bid process, expected to begin in the next few weeks. Contractor selection is expected to be completed by mid-June.

For more information about the program, visit www.fsec.ucf.edu/go/sunsmart.

About FSEC

The Florida Solar Energy Center, a research institute of the University of Central Florida, is the largest and most active state-supported energy research institute in the nation. Current divisions and their research activities include Advanced Energy Research: alternative transportation systems, hydrogen fuel and fuel cells; Buildings Research: energy-efficient buildings; and Solar Energy: solar water and pool heating and solar electric and distributed generation systems. For more information about the center, visit http://www.floridaenergycenter.org or call the FSEC Public Affairs Office at 321-638-1015.

UCF Stands For Opportunity
The University of Central Florida is a metropolitan research university that ranks as the 3rd largest in the nation with more than 53,500 students. UCF’s first classes were offered in 1968. The university offers impressive academic and research environments that power the region’s economic development. UCF’s culture of opportunity is driven by our diversity, Orlando environment, history of entrepreneurship and our youth, relevance and energy. For more information visit http://news.ucf.edu.

###

PR10-05

Share/Save

Nearly 800 schools in Florida that are designated as Enhanced Hurricane Protection Area (EHPA) shelters are eligible to participate in the E-Shelter program. The selection process will be highly competitive. Schools will be ranked based on demographics, emergency shelter needs, partnerships and existing renewable energy education and outreach plans.

The application process is simple, straightforward and done completely online. “We have worked diligently to make the application process as easy as possible,” said James Haggard, coordinator of Web Engineering at FSEC.

Those interested in participating in the program should visit www.fsec.ucf.edu/go/sunsmart for more information.

###

PR10-03

Share/Save