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SEI Alumni Highlight – Alison Brown
"After graduating from college, I knew I needed some hands-on experience prior to beginning a career in the solar industry, so I applied to be a work trader in 2007.
While at SEI, I took 8 classes from SEI including Renewable Energy for the Developing World in Costa Rica and the hands-on PV classes at the Paonia campus.
After I finished my classes, I installed a few PV systems in the Roaring Fork Valley before moving to the Front Range to manage and install residential PV systems. Now I am a Project Manager at juwi Solar where I have had the opportunity to work on over 60 MW of PV projects around the country. When reviewing drawings, I frequently think back to the wiring diagrams I studied with my fellow students over camp fires in Paonia.
Not only did SEI teach me how to build a PV system, the SEI family introduced me to Colorado adventures via mountain bike, xc and downhill skis. When I'm not working, I'm usually out on a trail playing in the Colorado sunshine."
Alison is now volunteering with SEI as her way to give back!
Thank you Alison!
SEI Alumni Highlight – Shannon Welch
Three years after taking PV101, PV202 and PV201L, alumni Shannon Welch stopped in Paonia while on vacation to say hello, to tell his story, and to express his appreciation to the SEI staff. Shannon could be considered a typical SEI success story.
After starting out as a ski bum, Shannon worked most of his career as a project manager for general contractors in commercial construction. He was based in Salt Lake City, but found himself out of work as the economy hit the recession in 2008.
In the summer of 2009, Shannon’s former wife suggested he look into being an intern and learn about solar energy at SEI. He was not in a position to do so then, but, in the summer of 2010, took a risk and got the money for class from his retirement account and headed for Paonia. His plan worked beautifully!
Shannon came to Colorado to take all three classes. In three weeks he took the basic PV class, took the grid-direct hands-on lab, and then went to Carbondale for the advanced grid-direct. He remembers instructors Rebekah, Brian, Kyle, Kris, and Zeke. Kathy Fontaine helped him find lodging in Carbondale. And SEI founder Johnny Weiss spoke with Shannon at one of the student get-togethers, and advised him to speak with SEI contract instructor Ken Gardner, who is also from Salt Lake City.
Though Ken didn’t have an openings with his company, he urged Shannon to contact Bella Energy in Louisville, CO. Shannon was hired as a part-time project manager at Bella, and, after a year and a half, went to full time employment.
He had added solar energy to his existing skills, and instead of doing installations, he continued to do what he does best: project management and bidding projects.
Among the PV projects of which Shannon has been a part is a 1.65MW rooftop installation at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City. The PV array displaces approximately 18% of the energy usage. Shannon has always supported renewable energy and is really likes being able to use his experience and skill working in this field.
