Exciting Upcoming CO Events

There is a lot of excitement about renewable energy on the front range of Colorado. Next month SEI will be presenting a Solar Industry Seminar for people in the industry wanting to keep up to date on the latest technologies. Manufacturers, distributors, and installers will make commercial presentations, and industry reps will provide technical training on their specific products and services. There will also be vendor booths and product displays. In addition, SEI will offer introductory training sessions for novices to the industry on PV, Solar Thermal, Wind, and Sustainable Home Design.

The Seminar is held in conjunction with the Colorado Solar Energy Industries Association, March 8 - 10, Denver, CO
For more information or to register click here.

SEI will also be teaching a PV Design & Installation workshop with the Center for ReSource Conservation in Boulder, CO, May 7 - 12. The course covers system sizing, site analysis, hardware specification and component selection for typical applications and case study examples. For more information or to register click here.

The Virgin Earth Challenge

Al Gore and Sir Richard Branson have announced the Virgin Earth Challenge, a $25 million Global Science and Technology Prize. The Virgin Earth Challenge prize goes to whoever can demonstrate to the judges' satisfaction a commercially viable design which results in the removal of anthropogenic, atmospheric greenhouse gases so as to contribute materially to the stability of Earth’s climate. According to Al Gore, "“Carbon dioxide levels already are far above anything measured in the prior 650,000 year record, and just last week in Paris scientists gave us their strongest warning yet of the consequences of inaction. So the dangers are clear. But the opportunities, if we take action now, are innumerable." For more information or to enter the challenge visit www.virginearth.com

Renewable Energy for Educators

SEI announces a new workshop: Renewable Energy for Educators - How to Implement Renewable Energy Education into Your Classroom - Carbondale, CO- June 26-29, 2007

Educators attending this 4 day workshop will learn about the impacts that our energy use has on the planet and how to best teach youth about solutions: Energy conservation, energy efficiency, and renewable energy technologies. Each day will include a hands-on element that can be employed in the classroom. In addition, participants will walk away with practical and technical knowledge that they can apply in their own lives. This workshop has been designed to meet the 5th -9th grade Colorado Science Standards. For more information click here.

Renewable Energy Can Curb Global Warming by 2030

American Solar Energy Society (ASES) unveiled its 200-page landmark report, "Tackling Climate Change in the U.S.: Potential Carbon Emissions Reductions from Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy by 2030." The report illustrates how concentrating solar power, photovoltaics, wind power, biomass, biofuels, and geothermal power, combined with energy efficiency measures, can displace approximately 1.2 billion tons of carbon emissions annually by the year 2030 -- the magnitude of reduction that scientists believe is necessary to prevent the most dangerous consequences of climate change. Read the entire article on RenewableEnergyAccess.com

Lights, Camera, Action!

SEI has a new 5 minute promotional video which details SEI's workshops and charitable programs. The high quality video was produced by SEI alum Greg Reitman of Blue Water Entertainment. Greg is an independent feature producer, director and writer. For a complimentary copy please send $5 for shipping and handling to SEI, and request SEI's Promotional DVD.

Rural Renewable Energy in the West

A Harvesting Energy Summit, "Rural Prosperity Through Renewable Energy" will be held Feb. 26 - 28 in Salt Lake City, Utah. It will be an exciting three-day gathering of rural leaders and champions from Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, and Wyoming. The summit will cover wind power, biofuels, biomass, and public policy.

Visit www.HarvestEnergy.org for more information.

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 we do and membership dues help sustain our renewable energy endeavors.

Please join us! Membership benefits include (depending on membership level) discounts on workshops, a one year subscription to either Home Power magazine or E magazine, 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!