Students host weekend solar energy fair
Though solar energy has been around for decades, only in recent years have governments and businesses started to catch on as the technology continues to advance.
Students and the Tampa community can see what the buzz is about Saturday morning at the Solar Energy Fair held at the USF College of Engineering.
Organized by USF’s chapter of the International Solar Energy Society (ISES), the event aims to showcase and explain the current state of the solar industry, as well as the laws affecting it.
Guest speakers, such as USF researchers and local politicians, will hold talks and panels throughout the day to discuss economics, future possibilities and how to get politically active.
Guests will be able to visit the FLeX House, a model of an energy-neutral home built on campus, and watch electric cars and motorcycle displays.
A number of vendors will be present, selling contracts to install solar technology into residential homes. The vendors advertise that solar systems pay for itself when considering money saved, whether from the electric bill or from tax rebates.
ISES Vice President Ashley MacMeeken said people should attend the event to learn how solar technology has evolved.
“Solar is nothing new — it has been around since the 70s,” she said. “People have these old ideas that solar is not efficient or not affordable, but so much has changed. It’s more efficient now, it is more affordable and we want people to be aware of this.”
Registration starts at 9 a.m. and the event begins at 10 a.m. Tickets are free and the event is open to the public. There will also be free lunch and giveaways.
More Stories
USF student hospitalized during hunger strike
A hunger striker, who wishes to remain anonymous, was hospitalized Wednesday night after 10 days of not eating. The student was discharged Thursday morning and will continue striking. It has not been confirmed what symptoms they were experiencing before they were hospitalized. The group will starve themselves until USF divests from companies that “fund genocide” […]
Free organic menstrual product dispensers installed on USF Tampa campus
The days of walking into a library bathroom to see a basket of complimentary menstrual products are gone. These baskets have been replaced by colorful dispensers made by the brand Femly that will still provide free, organic tampons and pads. These dispensers were installed in seven bathrooms on March 15, according to Lennon Tomaselli, Health […]
Got a parking ticket at USF? Here’s how to appeal it
Have you ever received a parking citation and not wanted to pay the fine? Here, you can learn how to appeal your ticket and have the fine reduced or even dismissed. From options such as written submissions, speech presentations and online courses, here is how the process can look like for you. First Appeal […]
USF paramedics check on Hunger Striker during sit-in protest
Four paramedics checked striker Will Mleczko’s vitals in a stretcher in the first hour of the USF Hunger Strike coalition’s three-day sit-in protest at the Patel Center on Tuesday. The group of students will starve themselves until USF stops investing in companies that are “funding genocide” in Palestine. Related: USF students go on a hunger […]
USF alumni and staff reflect on dorms being demolished: ‘Our memories will not be lessened’
The memories alumni have from the early days of dorm life at USF will not be lost when the university tears down its original dorms for a redevelopment project. Related: USF to demolish oldest dorms to make way for new housing Alumnus Hyde Kirby, who graduated in 1982, lived in Alpha Hall while attending USF. […]
USF complies to new bathroom rules mandated by state
A regulation requiring that USF students, staff and employees use facilities corresponding to their sex assigned at birth was added to the Student Code of Conduct. Under the new rule, anyone can be charged with trespassing for using and refusing to leave the “wrong” facility on campus. Regulation 6.0021 refers to the “Safety in Public […]