The Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC) is the prime contractor for the Banner Center for Clean Energy. The largest and most active state-supported renewable energy and energy efficiency research organization in the United States, FSEC’s mission is to research and develop renewable energy, energy-efficiency and alternative energy technologies and training programs. Continuing education classes at FSEC include solar water heating, photovoltaics, alternative fuels, photovoltaics for disaster relief, energy-efficient building design, energy rating, and education programs for teachers, students and the general public. Both the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) certification and the State of Florida solar contractor license examination utilize questions based on FSEC solar training.

The Brevard Workforce Development Board, Inc. (BWDB) is a not-for-profit corporation designated as the administrative entity and grant recipient for workforce investment programs in Brevard County, Florida. As such, BWDB oversees the planning and implementation of a variety of workforce programs. Its mission is to facilitate and be the catalyst for workforce development services responsive to the county’s employment needs. Key populations served include unemployed adults, employed adults and youths earning insufficient wages, and youths entering the workforce for the first time. BWDB is also engaged in transitioning aerospace workers from the current NASA Shuttle program to the new aerospace program, Constellation. The work of the Banner Center dovetails with BWDB’s efforts to develop training capable of providing job potential for these skilled workers over the next two to four years.

Florida Solar Energy Research and Education Foundation (FlaSEREF) is a foundation established in 1995 by the Florida Solar Energy Industries Association (FlaSEIA). Their aim was to further the development and use of solar energy in Florida. Under a grant from the Florida Energy Office, the Foundation extends a host of programs to both public and private organizations demonstrating the benefits of using solar technologies in a wide-range of applications. One of the objectives of the organization is to help strengthen the Florida solar energy industry by making professional development as well as basic training opportunities available to them and their employees, and to allied trades as well.

The Space Coast Clean Cities Coalition is a Florida chapter of the U.S. DOE Clean Cities Program and has been designated as the 75th member of the program. The Coalition is a locally-based government-industry partnership encompassing a nine-county area of Brevard, Flagler, Indian River, Lake, Osceola, Okeechobee, Orange, Seminole, St. Lucie and Volusia in east central Florida. Membership is open to individuals, corporations, government agencies and interested organizations throughout Florida and the United States. The Coalition is a non-profit corporation established in Florida and administered by the Florida Solar Energy Center.
The Florida Space Coast Clean Cities Coalition is dedicated to educating the general public, industry and educators about alternative fuels. The Coalition sponsors public events as well as training workshop and a college credit course on alternative fuel vehicles has developed and is currently being taught at Brevard Community College on alternative fuel vehicles.

Driving Clean Energy Jobs and Industry in the Space Coast and Central Florida

The Space Coast Energy Consortium is a group of business and community leaders who are dedicated to driving energy-related economic development in the Space Coast and Central Florida. The Consortium grew out of the Space Coast Energy Symposium, an event that brought together leaders from throughout our community and the state of Florida to discuss ways to diversify our economic base and promote new and sustainable pathways for economic development following the end of NASA’s Space Shuttle program.