Earn College Credit for SEI workshops

The Consortium for Education in Renewable Energy Technologies (CERET) offers certificates in Renewable Energy to provide students with the theoretical knowledge necessary to begin a career in energy management and renewable energy technology. Certificates are granted through Madison Area Technical College (MATC). SEI's online courses qualify for college credits through MATC and towards a Renewable Energy Certificate. Click here for more information on CERET's Renewable Energy Certificates.

Housing on the Border

Like many Mexican border communities, Anapra is a community occupied by people who have come to the border in search of a better life either by entering the US or by working in one of the many factories in Juarez. Often without land or money, they are forced to squat on marginal pieces of land in a dangerous and harsh environment.

The World Hands Project works in Anapra to develop housing solutions that create opportunities for people to step out of the clutches of poverty and lead healthy, productive lives. World Hands will be offering a SEI co-sponsored Sustainable Building for the Developing World workshop Oct. 29 - Nov. 5 in Anapra. The cost of $475 includes food and lodging. For more information click here.

Bill and Melinda Gates visit RE in Rwanda

SEI instructor Walt Ratterman was recently training local solar technicians in a rural health clinic in Rwanda with SEI friends from the Solar Electric Light Fund. On the spur of the moment he gave a presentation on the economics of renewable energy in the developing world to some folks who showed up including Bill and Melinda Gates, Dr. Paul Farmer, and others. Powering rural health clinics with solar energy can go a long way towards improving people's health. And we're glad Bill and Melinda got a chance to see that first-hand.

Renewable Chocolate Fuel?

Microbiologists at the University of Birmingham in the UK found a way to produce hydrogen by feeding waste products from a chocolate factory to Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria. The researchers fed the bacteria diluted caramel and nougat waste left over from the chocolate-making process. The experiment created conditions that caused the bacteria to ferment the sugars in the chocolate waste, which generated organic acids so toxic to the bacteria that they began converting formic acid to hydrogen like mad.

The researchers used the hydrogen to power a fuel cell, which generated enough electricity to run a small fan. Click here for more info.

Photo Search

Alumni, do you have great photos of your experience at SEI that you'd like to share? We are always looking for exciting photos of workshops and life at SEI for our annual report and yearly workshop catalog. So please send them on a CD Rom to SEI, PO Box 715, Carbondale, CO 81623, or if under 2 Mb, email them to laurie@solarenergy.org.

Upcoming RE events

Be sure not miss these exciting renewable events coming up this summer:

• Rocky Mountain Sustainable Living Fair
  September 16-17, Fort Collins, CO
• Texas Renewable Energy Roundup
  September 22-24, Fredericksburg, Texas
• Solar Installation with Ed Eaton
  Oct 12-15, 2006 - The Farm, Summertown, TN
  $490 includes food and lodging or $350 if you just want the instruction without accommodations. Contact: ecovillage@thefarm.org, Tel 931-964-4474

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, a SEI bumpersticker, and more!

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

To all SEI members . . . SEI sends thanks!