FSEC Energy Research Center

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FSEC Energy Research Center

Florida Solar Energy Center: Florida's premier energy research center.

A Research Institute of the University of Central Florida, created by the Florida Legislature in 1975 as Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC).

12/01/2025

Ready to Power Your Future?

If you are between the ages of 16 and 25 and curious about careers that make a real difference, the Florida Clean Energy Pathways Program is for YOU.

🔋 Explore exciting jobs in clean energy
🧭 Get personalized career guidance
🤝 Connect with mentors and employers
🚀 Build a future that is sustainable and successful

This is your chance to turn your passion for the planet into a powerful career path. Whether you are in high school, college, or just figuring things out, this program is for you.

Learn more and get started today: bit.ly/3L2uS32

AESP

11/24/2025

Mentor the Minds Powering the Future of Energy

Join the Florida Clean Energy Pathways Program, a powerful initiative inspiring young Floridians (ages 16–25) to pursue careers in clean energy. As a mentor or employer partner, your guidance can spark real change and help shape a more sustainable energy future.

Program Website: bit.ly/3L2uS32
Mentor Flyer: bit.ly/3I9zrHX
Employer Flyer: bit.ly/46KX038

Shape the future. Mentor today.

AESP

11/21/2025

The layoffs come as the Trump administration canceled more than $7.5 billion in research grants for renewable energy last month.

11/10/2025

Solar-Powered Grazing: How One Farmer’s Sheep Sparked a Clean Energy Breakthrough

An innovative farmer’s idea is reshaping how we think about clean energy and agriculture. Discover how grazing sheep under solar panels turned into a win-win for the land, the animals, and the future of farming.

Read more: bit.ly/4nJNjao. View video here: bit.ly/4hTXNmn

11/07/2025

Building the Future: Hunters Point and FSEC’s Sustainable Vision

Hunters Point, the Bradenton Florida development by Pearl Homes that is earning national praise, is more than just another new Florida community. It is a bold glimpse into the future of resilient, net-zero housing developments. The Florida Solar Energy Center’s (FSEC) unique experience and expertise in energy-efficient design, building science, and solar energy system integration helped shape what is now a nationally recognized model for sustainable living. Hunters Point is the first LEED Certified Zero Energy Community and was awarded Green Builder’s 2025 Home of the Year in the Alternative Building Category.

FSEC’s contributions helped Pearl Homes forge a path to meeting rigorous performance standards, making the homes both environmentally responsible and cost-effective for residents. FSEC’s research and technical assistance supports a broader vision of sustainable neighborhoods that can be replicated nationwide. Janet McIlvaine and Donard Metzger were instrumental from the earliest stages, guiding the project through pre-design and into the prototype phase. As McIlvaine aptly put it, “To achieve this kind of success, you must start planning in pre-design like Pearl Homes did for Hunters Point.”

FSEC collaborators brought four decades of applied building science and solar energy engineering research to this ambitious project which aimed for, and achieved, hurricane resilience and net positive energy production at both the house and community levels.

With direct funding from Pearl Homes, Metzger led the conceptual solar energy system design, which includes energy storage at the community scale. McIlvaine focused on simulations and building science recommendations that helped guide the project’s evolution.

“What began as a one-hour meeting turned into years of collaboration that FSEC is incredibly proud of,” said McIlvaine, reflecting on the team's deep involvement in the Hunters Point development.

Read more about this achievement:
Bradenton Herald article: bit.ly/47HRz4c
Green Builder Media Home of the Year feature (pg. 32): bit.ly/4hKZpP2

Bradenton Herald

11/03/2025

Celebrating Holly Mentillo: A Legacy of Innovation, Inspiration, and Impact

For more than 27 years, Holly Mentillo of Ocean Breeze Elementary in Indian Harbour Beach has been shaping young minds and sparking curiosity.

Holly is a cornerstone of gifted education in Brevard County, known for her boundless creativity, deep commitment to STEM learning, and her ability to turn classrooms into launchpads for discovery. Her students don’t just learn, they build, test, fail, and try again. They have explored aerospace through Civil Air Patrol STEM kits, launched rockets, and even transformed plastic waste into benches through school-wide recycling initiatives.

One of Holly’s most vibrant contributions is her involvement in EnergyWhiz, Florida’s premier student competition for renewable energy and sustainability projects held annually at the Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC). Under her guidance, Ocean Breeze students have consistently shined:

2023 Critter Comfort Cottage: Her team won 3rd place for designing and building a cozy, energy-efficient habitat for mosquito fish.

Energy Inspired Art: Holly’s student Lyrric earned 3rd place for a stunning piece titled Windmills Around the Earth, blending creativity with climate awareness.

EnergyWhiz is more than a competition, it is a celebration of clean energy, innovation, and student empowerment. Holly’s leadership has made it a transformative experience, giving students the confidence to tackle real-world challenges with imagination and purpose.

Holly’s impact reaches far beyond the classroom. She continues to inspire a generation of students who are not only smarter, but more curious, more compassionate, and more prepared to shape a better future.

Thank you, Holly, for your dedication to excellence, and your unwavering belief in the power of young minds.

10/31/2025

Powering Florida’s Future: Celebrating Workforce Innovation in Solar

Florida is leading the charge in solar workforce development as evidenced by the Florida Solar Energy Apprenticeship Program, created by the Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC) in partnership with the Florida Solar Energy Industries Association (FLASEIA).

As solar energy continues to surge as one of the fastest-growing industries in the U.S., this first-of-its-kind program is equipping and certifying the next generation of solar professionals, while keeping high-quality jobs and economic growth right here in the Sunshine State.

For more on the article posted in Florida Politics on how Florida’s Solar Apprenticeship Program is building a skilled workforce for a growing industry, visit bit.ly/4ocqGwi.

"Curious about a bright future in solar energy? Discover the Florida Solar Apprenticeship Program and learn more at bit.ly/4hAlPTb."

Florida Solar: FlaSEIA

10/22/2025

Ready to launch your future in clean energy?

The Florida Clean Energy Pathways Program is your launchpad to a thriving career in solar, electric vehicles, and beyond. Whether you are just starting out or aiming to advance your career, this program equips you with the skills, hands-on experience, and professional connections to succeed in the clean energy industry.

✅ Earn up to $1,000 in stipends
✅ Receive a Certificate of Completion
✅ Connect with mentors & industry experts
✅ Build job readiness skills

Learn more and apply at bit.ly/3L2uS32

10/21/2025

Highlights of the Building Research Briefings

The Summer/Fall 2025 briefing from FSEC’s Buildings Research Division celebrates:

Philip Fairey, who retired as Deputy Director after decades of pioneering work in building science and energy efficiency research.

Eric Martin, Charles Withers, Bereket Nigusse, and Tanvir Khan received the “Best Paper Award” published in Science and Technology for the Built Environmental, the ASHRAE research journal.

And that’s just two of the many exciting updates from FSEC this month:

🔹 Testers wanted for PV-GEMS technology
🔹 Duke Energy Corporation tours FSEC
🔹 Energy tips, recent publications
🔹 Upcoming courses and more

You can read the full briefing at: bit.ly/4ngEpBa

10/16/2025

Spark Curiosity with Solar Power

Calling all K–8 educators. Ready to energize your classroom with hands-on STEM learning? Join us at FAST for Workshop #6: Intro to Solar, a dynamic session presented by Susan Schleith and Emily Rawley from the Florida Solar Energy Center, University of Central Florida.

🗓 Date: Thursday, October 23, 2025
⏰ Time: 3:15 PM – 5:15 PM
📍 Location: Citrus Room A
💵 Cost: $5.00
👥 Audience: K–8 Teachers
🎟 Limited Spots: Max 30 | Min 10

Attend this workshop and explore the Solar Matters curriculum through hands-on activities focused on solar thermal and photovoltaic technologies. Each participant will receive a free basic solar car kit (solar panel + motor) to build a Solar Sprint car or use for experiments. Door prizes will also be available.

Bonus for attendees: Receive a FREE expanded energy kit valued at over $600. To qualify, download and complete this form: https://forms.fdacs.gov/01608.pdf, be sure it includes your school principal’s signature, and bring it with you to the workshop.

FAST conference details: https://bit.ly/3KBVQOU
Limited spots. Pre-registration required: https://bit.ly/4h566vm

Presented in partnership with the Florida Energy Office, Tony Morgan, Deputy Director

10/07/2025

Solar-Powered Teaching: Engage, Explore, Energize

Ready to spark curiosity and ignite STEM learning in your classroom?

Experience the power of solar energy at the FAST Conference in Workshop #6: Intro to Solar, a hands-on STEM session presented by the Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC), University of Central Florida. Led by FSEC’s Susan Schleith and Emily Rawley, this engaging workshop provides educators with an exciting opportunity to explore solar concepts through interactive activities and practical classroom applications.

Participants will dive into the Solar Matters curriculum through hands-on lessons featuring solar thermal and photovoltaic technologies. Each attendee will receive ready-to-use lesson plans, a FREE basic solar car kit (solar panel + motor), and a chance to win door prizes.

Bonus Opportunity for Attendees: Chance to receive a FREE expanded energy kit valued at over $600, courtesy of the Florida Office of Energy. To claim this incredible resource, simply download and complete this form https://forms.fdacs.gov/01608.pdf, making sure it includes your school principal’s signature. Bring the signed form with you to the workshop to qualify.

🗓️ Date: Thursday, October 23, 2025
⏰ Time: 3:15 PM – 5:15 PM
📍 Location: Room Citrus A
💵 Cost: Just $5
🎟️ Limited Spots: Max 30 | Min 10

Event details: https://bit.ly/3KBVQOU
Pre-registration required: https://bit.ly/4h566vm

Presented in partnership with the Florida Energy Office, Tony Morgan, Deputy Director

Address

1679 Clearlake Road
Cocoa, FL
32922

Telephone

+13216381000

Website

http://www.energyresearch.ucf.edu/

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