EmPower Solar Announces its 2014 Student Competition

$5,000 in Scholarships to be awarded. Grand Prize: Trip to Solar Decathlon Europe, France

EmPower Solar, a leading Long Island-based solar energy company, has announced its 2014 EmPower Solar Student Competition. The company is encouraging Long Island and New York City high school students to discover and communicate the benefits of solar power through a multi-faceted competition that encompasses a combination of science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM), and creative components.

Participants will compete for an all-expense-paid trip to the Solar Decathlon Europe 2014, which will take place in Versailles, France, and a $1,000 per person scholarship. Second and third-place scholarships are also being awarded, totaling $2,000. The Solar Decathlon Europe is a prestigious and competitive event that will draw collegiate teams from all over the world. This year is the third bi-annual event that was modeled after the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon.

The EmPower Solar Student Competition was first held in 2011, and in 2013, EmPower sent its winning team to the U.S. Solar Decathlon in California. This year the competition will include a written component where students will evaluate the energy consumption and solar potential of a house or building of their choosing. They are also required to produce a YouTube video on why the guest judges should pick them to join EmPower Solar in France.

"We are thrilled to launch the 2014 Solar Student competition together with our incredible partners. The entire EmPower team looks forward to this event each year and some of us are particularly excited to treat the student winners to some tasty crepes at the competition venue in Versailles," said David G. Schieren, CEO.

Numerous partners and guest judges will play a pivotal role in making the 2014 competition a success. Partners and judges include Citizens Campaign for the Environment, Cradle of Aviation Museum, ImagineLB, LIMSAT, Operation Splash, Suffolk County Representative to Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, Renewable Energy Long Island, Solar One, Sustainability Institute at Molloy College, Sustainable Long Island, Town of Hempstead, and Vision Long Island.

"As a leader in ‘green’ energy initiatives, America’s largest township is proud to again partner with EmPower Solar as it hosts an important solar power Student Competition in 2014,” said Hempstead Town Supervisor Kate Murray. "The Energy Park at Point Lookout is the Town of Hempstead’s ‘hub’ for alternative energy projects, a perfect setting for a competition that showcases talented students who represent the future of renewable energy on Long Island."

"LIMSAT focuses heavily on student STEM preparation, so partnering with EmPower Solar for the 2014 Student Competition was an easy decision. This hands-on project that encourages team learning is right in line with our mission. We are excited to see more students pursuing higher education in technology and science fields, especially when it comes to renewable energy solutions," said Harriet Copel, Executive Director of LIMSAT, partner with Brookhaven National Lab in the Portal to Discovery.

 "The Cradle of Aviation is proud to partner with EmPower Solar in engaging and challenging our students while promoting renewable energy growth in New York. It's great to see a regional company provide this unique educational opportunity, and we are excited to support this endeavor," said Andy Parton, Executive Director of the Cradle of Aviation Museum.

For more information about the EmPower Solar Student Competition and to sign up, visit http://www.empower-solar.com/overview/empower-solar-student-competition.