Problems and Solutions: Training Disaster Organizations on the Use of PV

Primary Author(s)

Florida Solar Energy Center
William Young, Florida Solar Energy CenterFollow

Report Number

FSEC-PF-371-03

URL

http://publications.energyresearch.ucf.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/FSEC-PF-371-03.pdf

Keywords

Disaster Planning; Disaster Relief; Photovoltaics; Photovoltaic systems; Disaster relief training; Emergency power supply; Educational programs; Post-disaster recovery

Abstract

In 1992, the Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC) and Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) assisted the University of Miami Field Epidemiology Survey Team (FEST) with photovoltaic systems to power temporary medical clinics after Hurricane Andrew struck south Dade County. At that time, it became apparent that there were no educational materials prepared for disaster relief or emergency management personnel on the use of photovoltaic (PV) to supply electrical power in response to a disaster. This need prompted FSEC to create an education program to develop awareness and train organizations on the proper use of PV in disasters. Since then, FSEC has gained extensive knowledge and experience in analyzing disaster-related energy needs, developing and procuring disaster equipment and maintaining and deploying photovoltaic (PV) power equipment to aid in post-disaster recovery and mitigation efforts. The 9-11 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center added a new dimension to our definition of disaster and the need for emergency power.

Several research studies have been published, educational materials produced and workshops conducted by FSEC on the use of PV in disasters. This knowledge is being transferred to government agencies, the PV industry and disaster relief organizations in Florida and around the world. This paper describes what is being done to deploy PV following disasters, types of training needed, target audiences, available training materials and types of workshops being conducted. The success of these efforts is demonstrated by the growing number of requests for workshops from local and international entities.

Date Published

12-28-2006

Identifiers

470

Notes

Presented at ASES 2003

Subjects

Disaster relief; Photovoltaic power systems; Emergency management; Resource programs (Education)

Local Subjects

Disaster Planning; Disaster Relief; Photovoltaics

Type

Text; Document

Collection

FSEC Energy Research Center® Collection

STARS Citation

Florida Solar Energy Center and Young, William, "Problems and Solutions: Training Disaster Organizations on the Use of PV" (2006). FSEC Energy Research Center®. 470.
https://stars.library.ucf.edu/fsec/470