Renewable Energy in the Developing World

2 billion people live without electricity, 1.3 billion have no access to clean water, and 2.6 billion have no access to sanitation. Renewable energy and appropriate technologies can help alleviate many of those issues.

Join SEI on one of our workshops taught in the developing world. You will live in rural areas and learn about and participate in technologies that can help improve people's lives.

• Renewable Energy for the Developing World
  Nicaragua - Nov. 13 - 18
• Renewable Energy for the Developing World
  Costa Rica - Jan. 22 - 27
• Solar Electricity for the Developing World
  Costa Rica - Feb. 2 - 10
• Appropriate Technology for the Developing World
  Chiapas, Mexico - April 23 - 28

SEI and CU offer Intro to Solar Electricity course

SEI has teamed up with CAETE at the University of Colorado at Boulder to offer an Introduction to Solar Electricity Course that can be taken on site or via the internet. CAETE, the Center for Advanced Engineering and Technology Education, is the distance learning and professional studies arm of the College of Engineering and Applied Science at CU Boulder. The 3 day course, offered Oct. 28 - 30, is part of the Sustainable Practices Series and provides 2.1 continuing education units. For more information or to register click here.

For a flyer describing all the short courses in the Sustainable Practices Series click here.

New Solar Site Analysis Tool

An alum of SEI's PV Design & Installation workshop, Tom Williard, has co-developed a new tool to identify the shading pattern of a location. The Solmetric SunEye™ is a hand held electronic device that instantly allows users to assess total potential solar energy given the site-specifc shading of a particular site. It provides data in many different formats and can export images and data to your computer. Thanks to Solmetric for generously donating a SunEye to be used in SEI's training program.

Renewables for Burmese Refugees

Palang Thai, a Thailand-based non-profit organization, works to promote renewable energy policy, training, and implementation in Thailand. One project of Palang Thai, the Border Green Energy Team (BGET), provides hands-on appropriate technology training and financial support to village innovators in ethnic minority areas on both sides of the Thai/Burma border. SEI has sent numerous volunteers through our INVEST program to work with BGET. SEI's volunteers have helped train Burmese refugees and helped to install solar electric systems on health clinics. To read a report from the latest SEI alumni to work with BGET, and for a fascinating look into the history and life in the Burmese refugee camps click here.

The PV Job Market

Interest in photovoltaics is booming these days. There are many job openings for trained people to work in the PV industry. Four women from SEI's Women's PV workshop this past July are already employed in the solar industry. And Colorado alum, Jose Miranda, started his own renewable energy business, Grounded Renewable Energy, and hired SEI alumni Paul Puhr, Joe Villacci, and Mandy Owensby. If you're an alum of SEI, check out SEI's job board to see if there are any positions that might work for you.

Your Generosity Ensures our Success!

SEI would like to welcome 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!