SEI's 2007 workshops

SEI's 2007 workshops are now up on our website at www.solarenergy.org. New in 2007 is the PV Safety workshop, exploring many of the hazards and safety concerns associated with installing solar electric systems. We are also offering workshops in new locations, such as New Orleans, Albuquerque, and Santa Cruz. If you do not want to receive a 2007 catalog in the mail, please let us know!

Tucson Electric Power supports Renewables

In the city of Tucson, Arizona, customers of Tucson Electric Power (TEP) have shown their commitment to investing in renewable energy with their participation in TEP’s voluntary GreenWatts program. For each "GreenWatt" a customer adopts, TEP will create 20 kilowatt hours of electricity per month from renewable energy resources. In addition to Green Watts TEP also offers their SunShare rebate program which gives customers an opportunity to install affordable solar electric systems on their homes and businesses.

TEP also offer their customers scholarships to SEI’s PV Design & Installation workshops held each year in Tucson. This partnership has proved to be another showcase of TEP’s commitment to encourage its customers to support renewable energy. SEI thanks Tucson electric Power for its continual support and commitment to renewables. If you represent a utility or state energy office and would like to follow the lead of Tucson Electric Power by offering scholarships to people in your area please contact SEI.

LA School District to be Powered by the Sun

The Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD), the nation’s largest community college district, plans to produce enough of its own electricity to take its nine campuses “off the grid.” The LACCD believes that it is the first community college district in the nation to plan to generate all its own electricity. The initial plan is to install enough PV to produce one megawatt of electricity at each of its nine colleges.

The one megawatt per campus program is part of the LACCD's Energy Strategy Plan which includes: plans for a renewable energy Central Plant; performance conservation efficiency contracts; and a sustainability curriculum for its nine Los Angeles-area colleges.

Click here to read LACCD's press release

Grid Alternatives Holiday Celebration

SEI alumni Tim Sears is the co-founder and program director of Grid Alternatives, a non-profit organization that empowers communities in need to meet their basic requirements of health, education, and economic opportunity by providing renewable energy and energy efficiency related services, equipment, and training. GRID Alternatives is holding their 4th annual "Friendraiser" holiday celebration, December 2 in Berkeley, California. There will be solar power sculptures from Sunbrothers, drinks and hors d'oeuvres from solar powered Whole Foods, and a raffle. If you've been a Grid Alternative volunteer, this is a great opportunity to catch up with other volunteers you may have worked with over the year. If you haven't been a volunteer, it's a great time to find out how to become one!

Australia going Green

In the face of overwhelming scientific evidence, the Australian Government has made a significant change in its energy policy by announcing it will contribute US$57 million towards the building of the world's largest solar energy plant as part of its recently unveiled renewable energy package.

The 154 megawatt solar power station is the first component of a total US$96.7 million Government package to clean carbon emissions on two projects in Victoria.

For more information read the entire article on renewablenergyaccess.com

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!