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U South Florida St. Petersburg Launches Solar Battery Research Initiative

The University of South Florida St. Petersburg (USFSP) has launched a new research initiative aimed at exploring better ways to store energy from the sun.

Funded by a $1 million grant from Duke Energy Florida, the solar battery project is already underway with the installation of a 100-kilowatt photovoltaic system at a campus parking garage designed to work with two smaller existing systems at the school.

"Solar energy that is not used by the garage for lights, elevators and electric-vehicle charging stations is stored in battery systems or put onto the electric grid for immediate use," according to a news release. "High-resolution data is being collected on the PV installation and on the energy storage system which is displayed on an online dashboard and several kiosks on campus."

"This is an opportunity to manage energy costs, while promoting sustainability on campus," said USFSP Regional Chancellor Sophia Wisniewska, in a prepared statement. "We are pleased and proud to have been awarded this grant, and to provide faculty and students with a chance to help build something of lasting impact. USFSP has long enjoyed a strong partnership with Duke Energy and we look forward to future collaborations."

About the Author

Joshua Bolkan is contributing editor for Campus Technology, THE Journal and STEAM Universe. He can be reached at [email protected].

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