Westside Tech Means Green!

While many institutions are only now planning on developing green power, Westside Tech in Winter Garden is already there!

Over the last several years, Westside Tech has installed four solar electric systems, one solar hot water system, and used a grant from the Florida State Energy Office to build a Bio-diesel Demonstration Center on campus, where bio-diesel is produced and its uses are demonstrated.

The solar electric systems at Westside produce approximately 17,000 Kilowatt-hours of electric power each year, which is almost enough electric power to run a small elementary school like Maxey ES for about a week.

The solar electric systems on Westside's campus were purchased under a solar grant from the Florida Energy Office that is administered by the Florida Solar Energy Center. The solar electric systems were installed by the students and instructors from Westside's Electrical Apprenticeship program.

Westside Tech, in partnership with the University of Central Florida, has recently been awarded a Banner Grant for training of solar installers. The school's Building Technology Apprenticeship Program has also installed a solar hot water system for the school's Cosmetology program.

Westside Tech is partnering with Progress Energy to increase the solar thermal capabilities of the center. An additional solar thermal unit will be installed in the Cosmetology Department to monitor passive and active production of hot water. The data derived from this project will help Progress Energy determine the economic feasibility of solar hot water on commercial buildings.

Last, but certainly not least, Westside has the only bio-diesel processing operation in the OCPS school district. The bio-diesel produced at the campus is used to heat water, run an electrical generator, and provides fuel for tractors used at Westside. The grounds and landscaping department at OCPS is utilizing the bio-diesel in two of its most recently purchased bio-diesel compatible lawn tractors.