The SunSmart E-Shelter Schools program is the first in the nation to outfit emergency shelter schools with solar + storage. More than 114, 10-kW photovoltaic (PV) solar systems are currently installed in schools designated as emergency shelters throughout Florida. FSEC, Florida’s premier energy research center at the University of Central Florida, coordinated the installations, which began in 2010.
These solar + storage systems have become the centerpiece of community events, with students and teachers acting as ambassadors to educate local citizens about the clean, silent electricity produced for their school. More importantly, in the event of an emergency, these systems use energy stored in batteries to provide power to key aspects of the shelter and provide an emergency shelter for the local population.
