$10 million in stimulus money was awarded to fund solar panels projects on up to 90 Florida schools, colleges and vocational and private schools that serve as emergency shelters.

According to the Orlando Business Journal $8.5 million of the $10 million stimulus award will go to installing solar panels on schools statewide with the remaining $1.5 million to be used for education, training and administration.  The funds are from the $126 million American Recovery and Reinvestment Act award the state got last year.

“The premise behind the program is to keep Florida solar energy business working,” said Susan Schleith, SunSmart Schools and Energy Shelters program manager at the Florida Solar Energy Center.  “These projects benefit business primarily from the installation side, as Florida doesn’t have any photovoltaic manufactures, “said Bruce Kershner, executive director of the Florida Solar Energy Industries Association as quoted in The Orlando Business Journal.