SEI's Tucson Workshop a Huge Success!

SEI just completed its first PV Design and Installation workshop for 2004 in Tucson, AZ. This workshop was a complete success. A fantastic group of students from many different backgrounds all helped make the workshop a great experience. The workshop participants installed a roof-mounted, thirty panel, grid-tied PV system on a Tucson home. At the end of the workshop everyone's spirits were high as they watched the electrical meter spin backwards!

"SEI's approach to education is incredible. the best thing is that I thoroughly enjoyed myself throughout the course. I cannot say enough good things about our instructors. They are amazing and really know their trade. I had a lot fun and learned a lot. I really look forward to taking more SEI classes in the future."
- Tucson workshop participant

For information on upcoming PV workshops click here.

Learn Renewables on Guemes Island, WA

SEI has three workshops coming up next month on Guemes Island off the coast of Washington state. Hear an overview of renewables, learn about grid-tied PV systems, or discover how to build your own wind generator.

• Utility Interactive Photovoltaics, April 8 - 10
• Homebuilt Wind Generators, April 12 - 17
• Intro to Renewable Energy, April 18

These workshops will be held at the community center on beautiful Guemes Island, a ten-minute car ferry ride from Anacortes, WA. For more info or to register, click here.

And don't forget to check out our other April workshops: PV Design & Installation in New York and Utah, Utility Interactive Photovoltaics in San Diego and New Jersey, and Women's Carpentry in Colorado.

PV Industry Growing at Record Speed

World solar photovoltaic (PV) market installations soared to 574 Megawatts in 2003, representing growth of 34% over 2002, says the annual PV market report issued by Solarbuzz Inc., a San Francisco based solar energy consultancy.

The Japanese, German and United States markets accounted for 75% of the world solar photovoltaic market. The major driver of demand was the strong grid-connect sector, up 57% globally to account for 77% of the total market. In fact, the United States market increased to 66 Megawatts, spurred on by grid-connect applications in California. "The strong growth resulted in a worldwide solar photovoltaic market worth over $4 billion last year", said Craig Stevens, President of Solarbuzz Inc.

For more world solar energy news headlines see www.solarbuzz.com

SEI Instructor Helps Homeless with Strawbales

Lydia Doleman, SEI's Women's Carpentry Instructor and Natural Building expert has been helping bring more natural construction to Portland, Oregon..... Lydia worked with Dignity Village, a homeless tent city, to demonstrate how to construct low-cost, environmentally friendly housing. Lydia and her crew constructed a strawbale house with scrap lumber and recycled windows that cost only $500. The City of Portland was so excited they officially declared Dignity Village a campground, meaning many more structures can be built. Lydia and her crew hope to build 65 light straw/clay structures, one for each person in the village.

Lydia is involved with many more strawbale projects around Portland including testing different weather-proofing technologies for the wet Portland weather.

For more information on Dignity Village click here.

For more info on the Women's Carpentry workshop that Lydia will be teaching April 26 - 30 click here.

SEI Associate Fighting for the Homeless

Reverend Larry Rice, SEI alum, associate and social activist minister is fighting to convert a vacant St. Louis federal building into a homeless shelter. On the other side of the fight is the city of St. Louis which wants to use the Abram Federal Building for a parking garage for the renovated Kiel Opera House. Reverend Rice is relying on the federal law that gives first crack at surplus properties to organizations with a viable project for the homeless. However, the Department of Health and Human Services, the federal agency that is deciding on if Reverend Rice could be given the building for use as a homeless center, is still pondering their decision.

For the NPR story on Reverend Larry Rice's struggle click here.

Your Generosity Ensures our Success!

SEI would like to welcome our new members! As a membership-based non-profit, SEI's members are the heart of our organization and allow us to continue our educational programs. SEI Staff is passionate about the work that we do and membership dues help sustain our renewable energy endeavors.

Please join us! Become an SEI member and support our important work (and receive a free one year subscription to either Home Power magazine or E magazine.)

Click here for more details on how you can become an SEI member.

To all SEI members . . . SEI sends thanks!