Imagine you are in your final days of high school. Graduation day is fast approaching, and you have so many things to think about. Will you go to college? Will you move out and go to work? Will you do both?

For many young adults, these are basic things to ponder. They’ve spent 12 years in school learning math, English, social studies, science, and even a foreign language – all necessary subjects to make it in life, right?

Roughly 10 years ago, we started to see traffic circles (or "round-abouts") pop up across the US. What is a traffic circle? Well, if you don't know, a traffic circle is exactly what is sounds like; it is an area of traffic designed in a circular pattern. It allows for the flow of traffic to be continuous for those within the circle and for traffic to safely enter the traffic circle when there is no traffic approaching from the left. Traffic circles reduce the likelihood of side impact collisions found at the traditional 90-degree intersection. They also eliminate the need for electronic traffic control as the traffic circle is its own source of traffic control. The Department of Transportation (DOT) claims a 75% reduction in injury collisions and a 90% reduction in fatal collisions as a result of traffic circle creation. Simply put, traffic circles are a safer alternative to the traditional intersection and they also allow for a smoother flow of traffic. 

Solar projects are often met with excitement, but often accompanied by hefty project requirements. Sometimes they are plagued by a lack of funding or staff to complete predevelopment work. So, how do you make sure you set your project up for success? Paying attention to the following considerations can significantly streamline a project’s implementation.

Twenty-five years of Franklin Energy. That went quickly! Times have certainly changed – just look at all the 90’s photos of our staff to see the differences! Beyond the acid wash jeans and windbreakers, we’ve seen a lot change in the industry, too. From basic energy efficiency programs to comprehensive grid optimization solutions, we’ve done a lot of growing over these last 25 years. 

Here at Franklin Energy, we are always on the lookout for up-and-coming advancements in the energy industry. We believe that investing in the future is a vital step forward in our pursuit of innovation, and there’s no better investment than the young scholars of today.

That’s why Franklin Energy is proud to award our fifth annual Experts of Tomorrow scholarship to two exceptional university students who demonstrate impressive promise to become leading energy experts of tomorrow.