But First . . . Win a Trip to Mexico!

Become a member of SEI between November 1 and February 1, and get a chance to win 7 nights of lodging and food for two at Shangri-La Caribe, a solar powered resort in Mexico. For details click here.

Read below to see what your membership dollars will support.

Our Members keep Solar In the Schools (SIS)

Over 600 students from grades 3 - 8 attended the SIS presentations in 2004, learning about renewable energy and energy efficiency. The program culminated in the student-led installation of a 1kW photovoltaic system at the Basalt Middle School, and the creation of the Solar Fair.

Goals for the 2005 SIS program include increasing participant involvement in the program by 30% and developing an RE curriculum specific to grades 7-12.

To support this program click here.

SEI’s INVEST Program - The Solar Peace Corps

SEI Members help fund stipends for INVEST participants. SEI's INVEST program (International Volunteers in Environmentally Sustainable Technologies) links alumni of our Renewable Energy Education Program with appropriate opportunities throughout the world. After successfully completing SEI workshops, alumni can volunteer in an international project helping to electrify rural communities with renewable energy, build sustainable houses, and train local users and technicians. SEI works with ten international organizations based in Honduras, the Philippines, Thailand, Nicaragua, Nepal, Costa Rica, and the United States.

The INVEST goal for 2005 is to double the number of SEI alumni doing international volunteer work.

To support this program click here.

Members Fund Scholarships for people from Developing Countries

Traveling to the United States has becoming increasingly hard for our international students, due to visa requirements and the cost of airfare. We try to offset these costs to eligible developing country residents by offering tuition scholarships.

"Technically through the generous scholarship I was offered, it exposed me to the world of solar, technical assistance, technology in water pumping with DC pumps, and shaped me to a sustainable future as a technician of Renewable Energy end user. I can now teach communities that solar energy can bring electricity alternatively to kerosene. I should request more people become SEI Members so that more students from African Country may be supported." - Maina Stanley Gathai, Electrician at the Jane Goodal Chimp Sanctuary, Kenya

To support this program click here.

SEI Members Support Scholarships for the Women's Program

SEI’s Women’s Program provides women with a supportive learning atmosphere. Many women have little or no hands-on construction or electrical experience, and may be wary of attending a coed course with men who have grown up using power tools. Women with hands-on experience already working in technical fields may find it helpful and rewarding networking with other women interested and/or working in renewable energy.

SEI offers scholarship support to women who would not otherwise be able to attend SEI’s women’s workshops.

To support this program click here.

Members Contribute to the General Scholarship Fund

“Student scholarships at SEI gives an opportunity for those who can't afford this valuable education, but have a great need for it, such as the majority of the world's population who live in developing countries and inner city slums. I don't think education for a better living should be only for the elite. I deeply thank SEI's members for this excellent opportunity!” - Ilan Adler, Director of International Renewable Resources Institute, Mexico City

In 2004 SEI members provided scholarship support to 21 participants. The goal for 2005 is to double the amount of scholarships awarded through member support.

To support this program click here.

Become an SEI member