GOVERNOR CRIST ANNOUNCES $10 MILLION FOR SOLAR ENERGY IN SCHOOLS AND EMERGENCY SHELTERS
~~ ~Funds provided through Florida’s State Energy Program~ ~~
February 15, 2010
Contact:
GOVERNOR’S PRESS OFFICE
(850) 488-5394
TALLAHASSEE – Governor Charlie Crist today announced the award of $10 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) grants to the Florida Solar Energy Center in Cocoa Beach. The grant, known as the SunSmart School and E-Shelters (Emergency Shelters) program, is a portion of the $126 million the state received in State Energy Program funding for energy-related initiatives under the ARRA. The State Energy Program provides opportunities for state agencies, local governments and businesses to deploy renewable energy and energy-efficient technologies, resulting in economic development and job growth in Florida’s clean technology sector.
“The SunSmart School and E-Shelters program will help protect our environment for future generations,” said Governor Crist. “Educating Floridians and utilizing energy efficient technologies will strengthen our economy by increasing Florida’s energy independence and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.”The SunSmart School and E-Shelters program advances the use of renewable energy through the installation of solar energy systems, also known as photovoltaic (PV) systems. The program also supports solar-energy education initiatives for students and renewable energy curriculum training for teachers. In addition to helping reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the SunSmart School and E-Shelters program will also provide power during outages through the program’s PV systems at the schools and shelters where the program is administered.
At least 90 schools selected to serve as emergency shelters will be supported by the SunSmart School and E-Shelters program. These strategically located schools will be assisted with their installation of PV systems with battery back-up. Data loggers will also be on each site that, when complete, will upload system information to www.energywhiz.com. In addition, the program will include operation and maintenance workshops for facility managers and energy curriculum workshops for teachers.
For more information, visit www.MyFloridaClimate.com.