SEI's First PV Workshop of 2003

SEI just completed its first PV Design and Installation workshop for 2003 in Tucson, AZ. This workshop was a complete success. We had a fantastic group of students from many different backgrounds who all helped make the workshop a great experience.

The workshop participants had a lot of guest speakers from the solar industry and toured many renewable energy sites. They then installed a 30 panel grid-tied system on a Tuscon house. The system was offered as a part of the Tucson Electric Power's (TEP's) Sunshare Program, where qualifying local homes can buy this packaged system directly from TEP at a much reduced cost. The participants left the worksite with the meter spinning backwards!

Maho Bay PV Workshop, US Virgin Islands

This spring, SEI will once again team up with the world-renowned Maho Bay eco-resort to offer a two-week PV design and installation workshop in the beautiful Virgin Islands. Located on St. John adjacent to US Virgin Islands National Park, Maho Bay offers "one of the great views in the world," according to Arthur Frommer. The workshop runs from April 28 to May 9. Click here for more information about this very unique experience.

SEI Alumni Making a Difference

Two SEI alumni are now renewable energy C.E.O.'s. SEI alum Joe Schwartz (see photo) is C.E.O. of Home Power magazine. Joe took SEI workshops in 1995, and now works at Home Power installing and testing RE equipment, editing articles for technical accuracy, helping readers with system design and troubleshooting, and writing articles.

Ben Cook is now CEO of the Solar Electric Light Company (SELCO). After attending SEI workshops in the early 90s, Ben worked at the Solar Electric Light Fund, and helped get SELCO off the ground. After getting his MBA at Stanford, he's returning to SELCO as the new C.E.O. SELCO provides solar electric light and power for the developing world.

Click here for more info on SEI alumni

The 50th Anniversary of the Solar Cell

John Perlin, renowned author and solar historian, is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the silicon solar cell. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory has commissioned John to prepare an exhibit based on the solar cell for the 3rd World Photovoltaic Power Conversion Conference in Osaka, Japan. SEI is hoping to bring John and the solar cell exhibit to SEI this summer. Keep an eye out for an announcement of our solar cell anniversary party!

California Solar Action Alert

The California Public Utilities Commission is considering a proposal to levy "exit fees" on private solar energy production. The proposal would give utilities the right to install meters that measure solar production on privately owned solar energy systems and increase the cost of this solar energy for customers by up to 40 percent. Help stop this bad idea from becoming public policy before it's too late. The final decision is expected February 27, 2003!

PV Certification Update

Solar Energy International's PV training program is now accredited by the Institute of Sustainable Power (ISP). ISP evaluates trainers and training programs against established International Quality Standards.

Renewable Energy News from SolarAccess.com

Did you know that the SEI website features the latest renewable energy news? Every day our partners at SolarAccess.com update headlines on the top stories from the world of renewable energy. Click here to check it out.

SEI Membership

Please join us! Become an SEI member and support our important work (and receive a free one year subscription to Home Power magazine.) Help us continue our programs educating and promoting renewable energy around the world. Click here for more details on how you can become an SEI member.