Eco-Campus

In 2005, SEI began the process of turning a long-term dream into reality - to construct a state-of-the-art renewable energy education facility on 7 beautiful acres of land in Paonia, Colorado.

Our long-range goal is ambitious - to create a renewable energy 'eco-campus' capable of greatly expanding SEI's ability to teach hands-on workshops using a range of teaching environments specially constructed to offer the best possible experiences. With the eco-campus, we're taking hands-on training in renewable energy to a whole new level.

While the 'finished product' may still be some years away, we've already hosted many 'hands-on' workshops here, from Photovoltaics to Wind Power to Natural Building. In the eco-campus's PV Lab Yard, participants work on all aspects of the lab systems, not just a solar array or battery bank. Small student groups rotate from component to component and tear-down, dissect, and re-install lab-based systems. From detailed solar site analysis to conduit sizing, SEI participants now have the opportunity to do it all.

In 2007, SEI installed an ARE 110 Wind Generator atop a 106-foot-tall tilt-up tower at the eco-campus that allowed us to power electrify our Paonia office using 100% renewable energy. Additionally, the eco-campus contains PV systems, a solar hot water system, solar hot air system, and low head, high flow micro-hydro system. The SEI Natural Building Program contributed as well, with a new straw bale shed and cob bench for the PV Lab Yard. We look forward to more fun and exciting projects at our Eco-Campus in the years to come.

SEI's eco-campus offers students an unparalleled opportunity to practice what they've learned in the classroom. Eventually, it will also offer students the opportunity to stay in a sustainable setting on-site, reducing the cost of paying for outside accommodations and permitting more people to participate in SEI curriculum.