SEI Spring Workshops

SEI is teaching more PV workshops around the country this spring than ever before. But don't miss out on our other exciting workshops including Solar & Radiant Heating Systems, Women's Carpentry, and a whole series of workshops on Guemes Island, Washington.

For a list of all of SEI's upcoming workshops click here

Education Energized by the Sun

If you're an educator, and want to incorporate renewables into your curriculum, check out the Solar Schoolhouse, a K-12 energy education program developed by the Rahus Institute. The Rahus Institute is a non-profit research and educational organization with a focus on resource efficiency. Their Solar Schoolhouse program uses the sun as a starting point for teaching about energy resources, conservation, and other energy topics. It includes lesson plans, teacher workshops, resource kits, guidebooks, and videos to help bring energy education to tomorrow's leaders.

For more renewable energy teaching aids visit SEI's bookstore.

ISPQ Accreditation and Certification

IREC, a non-profit organization, is responsible for the ISPQ Standard for Renewable Energy Training Accreditation and Instructor Certification Programs. The goal of ISPQ accreditation is to ensure that practitioner training courses are designed to provide instruction that leads to defined workplace knowledge and skills and appropriately addresses issues of safety and codes.

While SEI has been an ISPQ accredited training institution for years, now 3 of SEI's instructors, Johnny Weiss, Carol Weis, and Justine Sanchez, are ISPQ certified Master Trainers.

New Off Grid Magazine

A new magazine is keeping people informed of off-grid news. Off Grid Living is published by a family who has been living off grid for 12 years in their own hand-built home with their own supply of clean, renewable energy. Every issue of Off Grid Living will show how to generate your own power from Renewable Energy.

Ford Unveils Ethanol Hybrid

Ford Motor Company unveiled last week a prototype vehicle that reduces petroleum consumption in two ways: it achieves a high fuel efficiency using hybrid technology, and it can run on a fuel made chiefly of ethanol. The Ford Escape Hybrid E85 is a flex-fuel vehicle, capable of running on gasoline or on E85, a blend of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline. To see the press releases from Ford and the National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition 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 are passionate about the work that we do and membership dues help sustain our renewable energy endeavors.

Please join us! Membership benefits include (depending on membership level) a one year subscription to either Home Power magazine or E magazine, the Renewable Energy Handbook for Homeowners, an organic cotton/hemp SEI t-shirt, an SEI bumpersticker, and more!

Click here for details on how to become an SEI member.

To all SEI members . . . SEI sends thanks!