Upcoming Workshops

SEI's PV Design & Installation workshops are filling up fast. Many of our summer PV workshops are already full. But if you're interested in building a solar home or implementing renewables in the developing world, you're in luck. There are still spaces left in the following workshops:

• Solar Home Principles - June 5 - 9
• Designing & Building Natural Homes - June 12 - 16
• RE for the Developing World - June 19 - 23
• Sustainable Building for the Developing World - June 26 - 30

Extending Biodiesel Incentives

Two US senators recently proposed new legislation that would extend through 2010 such alternative energy incentives as the excise and income tax incentive for biodiesel and biodiesel blends. The Alternative Energy Extender Act bill would also extend for one year a 30-percent tax credit for the cost of installing fueling pumps that offer B20, a blend of 20 percent biodiesel and 80 percent standard diesel.

If you are interested in learning more about running your car on biodiesel, be sure to check out SEI's Biodiesel workshop, May 1 - 5.

PV / Straw Bale Lab for Engineers without Borders

SEI helped Engineers without Borders (EWB) and the Colorado Straw Bale Assocation (COSBA) with the solar electric system for EWB's new lab at the University of Colorado. The 500 watt PV system was donated by SEI to help EWB members learn about renewable energy technologies in their straw bale lab before they head off to rural areas of the world to help improve people's lives.

Learn how to Manage RE Projects

Willis College of Business & Technology in Canada is now offering a Clean Energy Project Analysis Certificate Course online. The 28-week online course covers analyzing and managing PV, wind power, small hydro, biomass, solar hot water heating projects and more. The topics can also be taken as separate courses. For more information visit Willis College's eLearning webpage.

Are Solar Stocks Too High?

"I never thought I’d be posing this question," says Rona Fried, president of SustainableBusiness.com, but 2005 really was the year the solar industry took off and got noticed by stock investors. What a difference a year makes –

Solar stocks have been on a wild ride for the past year, rising from nowhere to galactic heights."

To read Rona Fried's entire article on solar stocks click the link below.

Teton Green Building Conference

Gather your team and head to the pristine Grand Teton National Park, May 24 - 26, to learn from leading educators and practitioners on how to dramatically improve your next building projects. This 2+ day concentrated primer is tailored for developers, architects, engineers, designers and builders looking for "nuts and bolts" strategies that improve the quality, performance, and value of new and existing homes and commercial buildings. Visit www.SustainableConferences.com for complete agenda and registration details or contact John Gitchell at john@SustainableConferences.com.

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!