2005 Solar Energy Calendar

SEI's 2005 Solar Energy Wall Calendar is now available! It is filled with photos of 2004 workshops. If you're an SEI alum you might be pictured! It also contains renewable energy facts, environmental dates and inspirational quotes.

The calendar is printed on recycled New Leaf paper with soy-based inks. It makes a great holiday gift! Co-published by CENSOLAR, Spain's premiere renewable energy training center. Only $15. Click here to order

SEI Affiliates

SEI has officially launched our Affiliate program, a worldwide network of non-profits and NGO's working in the renewable energy field, linked together via the web to help promote each others important RE work. Please visit our current affiliates:

• Camp-Us
• Center for Sustainable Energy
• Environment and Development Association of Ghana/EDAG
• Grupo Fenix
• Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA)
• North Carolina Small Wind Initiative
• SOLENERSA
• Sustainable Energy Society of Southern Africa, S.E.S.S.A.

Coloradoans to Vote on Renewables

Colorado voters will have a chance to vote for renewable energy in the upcoming election. If passed, Amendment 37 will require the state’s largest utilities to obtain 10% of their electricity from renewable energy resources by 2015. It will also establish a standard method (net metering) for homeowners and ranchers with small PV systems to connect to the power grid, and a $2/watt rebate on home PV systems. Currently, Colorado only get 2% of our electricity from renewables. That doesn't make sense for a state with such great wind and solar potential. SEI urges everyone to vote on November 2. For more information on Amendment 37 click here.

Workshops in Latin America

If you love traveling and visiting new places, SEI is offering three workshops in 2005 in Latin America. In Costa Rica we will be offering a Homebuilt Wind Generators workshop, from February 21 - 26. This will be held at Fundacion Durika, a biological reserve of approximately 18,500 acres in the heights of Cordillera de Talamanca. We are also offering a Renewable Energy for the Developing World - Hands-on workshop from March 7 - 12, with Rancho Mastatal, an environmental learning and sustainable living center, retreat and lodge located inthe last virgin rainforest of Costa Rica's Puriscal County.

In the fall of 2005 we will be offering a Renewable Energy for the Developing World - Hands-on workshop in Nicaragua with Grupo Fenix, a non-profit organization that supports renewable energy and sustianable development in Nicaragua. Workshop participants will stay with Nicaraguan families and travel to rural communities to install solar PV lighting systems and build solar ovens.

Engineers Without Borders

SEI participated in the annual Engineers Without Borders (EWB) conference held in Denver, Colorado. It was exciting to see what engineers and engineering students around the world are doing to help build a better world. There are currently EWB chapters in over 30 countries. EWB-USA has about 1,400 student and professional members involved in 75 projects in 35 different countries. SEI is pleased to offer EWB members a 10% discount on SEI's 2005 workshops.

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 details on how to become an SEI member.

To all SEI members . . . SEI sends thanks!