FSEC IN THE NEWS

• Applications Now Open for the 2006 Florida Energy Achievement Award
• FSEC to Host 2007 Middle School Science Bowl
• Florida Solar Energy Center Announces the 2007 Short Course in Fuel Cell Technology

NEWS FROM AROUND THE WORLD

• World Trade Center Will Use Green Building Design
  www.ny.gov/governor/press/06/0907061.html
• EPA Becomes First Federal Agency to Be Powered 100% Green
  yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/7c02ca8c86062a0f85257018004118a6/
  2ff6d33f0f6e9a7d852571db0059fe22!OpenDocument
• No Nonsense Solar
  www.distributedenergy.com/de_0607_no.html
• Britain's Solar Boat a Scientific Advance
  www.enn.com/today.html?id=10897

MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR

Dr. James Fenton

In preparing material recently for some proposals we are writing, I gathered some interesting information on the economic impact of renewable energy and energy efficiency on the people of Florida.

I knew that these fields had a pretty strong impact on the state's economy, but until I saw some of the numbers we collected, I really did not appreciate the tremendous impact that we are making today and the even more dramatic effects we can have in the future.

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TOP STORIES

“Cavity” Equipment Assures Accuracy of Solar Radiation Measurements

Setting up equipment for annual calibration.

FSEC staff calibrate all their instruments on a regular basis so that temperature, flow and other variables are correct when used.  The importance of solar radiation in FSEC’s work, along with the difficulty is setting the standards, makes this one aspect of the program a little more difficult.

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Linkous Studies Photocatalytic Algae Reduction to Help Homeowners

Algae growth can reduce the reflectivity of white roofing material as shown here. Photo: Nick Waters

In Florida, as well as in many other hot-climate states, algae growth on the surface of the roofing material causes the color to darken. Within a short time, the darker color causes the reflectivity to drop to approximately half of what it was, significantly impacting the capability of the roof to keep the building cool and greatly increasing the amount of energy needed to cool the building.

Now, there may be a new strategy using the sun to get rid of that algae problem.

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FSEC Works with Virgin Islands on PV System Quality Program

PV array in John's Folly, Virgin Islands Photo: Kevin Lynn

In 1999, the U.S. Virgin Islands Energy Office (VIEO) contracted with FSEC to establish a program to ensure that photovoltaic systems met quality standards.  FSEC’s Kevin Lynn recently visited the islands to conduct a detailed analysis of eight systems that have been installed as part of this program, and his report provides an interesting look at the types of projects that are suitable for remote locations.

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The Building America Industrialized Housing Partnership (BAIHP):
Saving Energy and Advancing the State of the Art in Residential Construction.

Over the next five years, the BAIHP team will conduct cost-shared research to accelerate the development and adoption of cost-effective, saving strategies that can be widely implemented by factory and site builders primarily in the hot-humid southeast as well as in marine and cold climates of the Pacific Northwest.   The 25 percent cost share for the DOE award will come from state and industry groups.

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