ORLANDO, Fla. – The University of Central Florida has announced dozens of job lay-offs at its Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC), citing financial challenges and shifting federal funding priorities.

After a thorough review, UCF said the decision was difficult but necessary to ensure responsible stewardship of university and state resources.

UCF said the center, which has contributed valuable energy research and outreach for 50 years, faced a sharp decline in external funding for traditional energy programs.

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“In recent years, FSEC has experienced a decline in external funding, limiting its ability to sustain core research activities,” the university said in a statement. “This challenge was further compounded by recent shifts in federal funding priorities in energy research, including reductions and cancellations of key programs that historically supported the center’s research activities. Together, these factors made the center no longer financially sustainable in its current form.”

UCF said the 57 affected employees received individualized information and support during the transition. A remaining team of seven staff members will continue essential services such as testing and certifying solar systems.

The smaller team will also support existing and future research programs in critical areas of energy research important to both the state and nation.

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UCF’s job lay-off announcement comes after the Trump administration’s Department of Energy (DOE) recently announced the cancellation of over $7.5 billion in federal funding for 223 clean energy projects across the country.

UCF’s full statement can be read below.

“After a thorough review, UCF has made the difficult but necessary decision to reduce staffing at the Florida Solar Energy Center to ensure responsible stewardship of university and state resources. FSEC has contributed valuable energy research and outreach for 50 years, but with shifting federal priorities and external funding for traditional energy programs declining sharply, FSEC was no longer financially sustainable in its current form.In recent years, FSEC has experienced a decline in external funding, limiting its ability to sustain core research activities. This challenge was further compounded by recent shifts in federal funding priorities in energy research, including reductions and cancellations of key programs that historically supported the center’s research activities. Together, these factors made the center no longer financially sustainable in its current form.The affected 57 employees received individualized information and support. The remaining team of 7 will continue FSEC’s essential service of testing and certifying solar systems, helping consumers ensure that technologies entering the marketplace are safe, effective, and reliable. They will also continue to support existing and future research programs in critical areas of energy research for the state and nation. UCF remains committed to aligning our research strengths with state and federal priorities. UCF takes its responsibility to be thoughtful stewards of public resources seriously, while ensuring that our programs and teams are aligned with the university’s long-term goals.”

University of Central Florida