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Workshop Instructors

Since 1991, Solar Energy International has been dedicated to providing hands-on and online solar training and renewable energy education. At Solar Energy International, it's our people who make the difference. With 20 ISPQ Certified Trainers and 24 NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installers — more than any other solar training organization — SEI's experienced solar training team is on the forefront of renewable energy education.

Solar Training (Electric) Instructors

Andy Black is owner of OnGrid Solar, performing solar financial analysis and purchaser's consultations. Andy specializes in Find Out More >
Andy Black NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer
NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer



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Solar Training (Electric) Instructors

Bill Hoffer has been working in the solar industry in the Pacific Northwest for more than 16 years. He is a Solar Energy International alum since 1994, a NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer, and a Find Out More >
Bill Hoffer NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer
NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer



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Solar Training (Electric) Instructors

Bob-O Schultze is a licensed electrician in both California and Oregon. He has been working in the solar industry for more than 20 years, and is the owner of Find Out More >
Bob-O Schultze NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer
NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer



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Solar Training (Electric) Instructors

Brad Burkhartzmeyer is an experienced solar system designer, installer and Solar Energy International alumnus. He founded Sun's Eye Power Company Find Out More >

Brad Burkhartzmeyer  ISPQ Certified Master PV Trainer
ISPQ Certified Master PV Trainer


Brad Burkhartzmeyer  NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer
NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer



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Solar Training (Electric) Instructors

Darren Emmons is a Washington state-based senior software engineer for Find Out More >
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Solar Training (Electric) Instructors

David Del Vecchio has been installing renewable energy systems since 1998. Currently he operates a consulting and design/install business. David is a NABCEP Certified Solar PV installer and also Find Out More >
David Del Vecchio ISPQ Certified Master PV Trainer
ISPQ Certified Master PV Trainer


David Del Vecchio NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer
NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer



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Solar Training (Electric) Instructors

Jack is a licensed Illinois attorney. He has worked for an oil company, a shopping mall developer, and a cell tower client. Jack is on a mission to make amends for his past careers against Find Out More >

Jack O'Donohue NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer
NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer


Jack O'Donohue NABCEP Certified PV Technical Sales
NABCEP Certified PV Technical Sales



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Solar Training (Electric) Instructors

Jay Peltz has been working in the renewable energy field since 1993. He spent many years working as the head designer and technical support for Find Out More >
Jay Peltz ISPQ Certified Master PV Trainer
ISPQ Certified Master PV Trainer



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Solar Training (Electric) Instructors

Jeff Tobe is the PV project coordinator and an ISPQ Certified PV Instructor at SEI. Also a NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer, Jeff has designed and led system installations in a variety of Find Out More >
Jeff Tobe ISPQ Certified PV Instructor
ISPQ Certified PV Instructor


Jeff Tobe NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer
NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer


Jeff Tobe NABCEP Certified PV Technical Sales
NABCEP Certified PV Technical Sales



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Solar Training (Electric) Instructors

"Solar Kelly" Larson operates a renewable energy design, installation and repair service in Northern Mendocino County, CA. She is an electrical engineer, and an Electrical Contractor, (CA Find Out More >
Kelly Larson ISPQ Certified Master PV Trainer
ISPQ Certified Master PV Trainer



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Solar Training (Electric) Instructors

Laura Walters helps coordinate and update the curriculum for SEI's internationally recognized PV training program, which includes creating the technical diagrams, working on SEI's PV textbook Find Out More >

Laura Walters ISPQ Certified PV Instructor
ISPQ Certified PV Instructor



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Solar Training (Electric) Instructors

Orion received his first glimpse into the potential of solar electricity while growing up off-grid in Northwest Montana and remains motivated by a desire to promote and educate the public on the Find Out More >

Orion Thornton NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer
NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer



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International Rural Development Instructors

Laurie Guevara-Stone is the international program manager at SEI. She has a Master's Degree in Energy Engineering from the Find Out More >
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Solar Training (Thermal) Instructors

Chuck Marken is a New Mexico licensed plumber, electrician and heating and air conditioning contractor. He has been installing and servicing solar thermal systems since 1979. Hundreds of hands on Find Out More >
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Wind Training Instructors

Hugh Piggott of Scoraig Wind Electric is an international authority on home-built wind generators, and has been Find Out More >
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More Instructors

Before joining SEI, Brian Mehalic worked as the lead installer and project manager for EV Solar Products in Chino Valley, Arizona. He is a NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer with experience Find Out More >
Brian Mehalic ISPQ Certified PV Instructor
ISPQ Certified PV Instructor


Brian Mehalic NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer
NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer



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Carl Bickford is an Assistant Professor of Engineering at San Juan College in Farmington, New Mexico. Find Out More >
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As PV Program Coordinator, Carol Weis writes and updates Solar Energy International's PV and Advanced PV curriculum and instructs in both the hands-on and online workshops. Carol also organizes SEI Find Out More >
Carol Weis ISPQ Certified Master PV Trainer
ISPQ Certified Master PV Trainer


Carol Weis NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer
NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer



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Chris has a Masters of Science degree in Renewable Energy from Murdoch University.  His interest in renewable energy was sparked as a Peace Corps volunteer in Ecuador and he continues to pursue Find Out More >
Chris Brooks NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer
NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer



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E. H. Roy started learning about solar energy technologies in the early 1990s and left a career as a petroleum geologist in 1995 to join the PV industry. He is an SEI alum and has designed and Find Out More >
E.H. Roy ISPQ Certified PV Instructor
ISPQ Certified PV Instructor


E.H. Roy NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer
NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer



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Ed Eaton has been active in the solar energy field since 1981 when he started Our Sun Solar, a solar oven company.  As sole proprietor at Our Sun Solar today, he is installing and consulting on Find Out More >

Ed Eaton ISPQ Certified Master PV Trainer
ISPQ Certified Master PV Trainer



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Eric graduated from Rochester Institute as electrical engineer in 1986. He attended Solar Energy Find Out More >
Eric Westerhoff NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer
NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer



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Flint Richter installed his first renewable energy system in 1998 on the path to a more independent lifestyle in Arkansas's Boston Mountains.  Years of experience installing battery based systems Find Out More >
Flint Richter NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer
NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer



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Gary Handelin (pictured in the middle of the photo) has a BSEE and MBA, is a registered professional electrical engineer, NABCEP Certified PV Installer, ISPQ Certified Master Trainer, SEI alumnus and Find Out More >
Gary Handelin ISPQ Certified Master PV Trainer
ISPQ Certified Master PV Trainer


Gary Handelin NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer
NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer



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Hal Aronson is the Co-founder of WE CARE Solar, which provides stand alone solar PV systems to help mothers in the developing world.  He has taught solar in the schools for 12 years (since 1998) Find Out More >

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Ian Woofenden is Solar Energy International's Northwest coordinator. He has coordinated and co-taught SEI's PV, Wind, Micro-hydro, and Homebuilt Wind Turbines workshops in the San Juan Islands in Find Out More >

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Jay Pozner started his career as a mountain guide, and educator. Working in the mountain, desert, and river environs sparked his interest in remote, independent living. Shoulder seasons were spent Find Out More >
Jay Pozner ISPQ Certified PV Instructor
ISPQ Certified PV Instructor


Jay Pozner NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer
NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer



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   Joe Villacci specializes in the design and installation of solar electric systems and is the owner and manager Find Out More >
Joe Villacci NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer
NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer



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Co-founder of Solar Energy International, Johnny is also a solar educator, consultant, certified Industrial Trainer and solar building professional. He has over twenty years experience teaching the Find Out More >
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J.R. Whitley is a licensed electrician and NABCEP certified PV installer, in North Carolina.  A graduate of Appalachian State University’s Appropriate Technology Department, he has been working Find Out More >
JR Whitley NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer
NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer



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Justine has been with Solar Energy International since May 1998. Before coming to SEI Justine obtained her Bachelors degree in Physics from the Find Out More >

Justine Sanchez ISPQ Certified Master PV Trainer
ISPQ Certified Master PV Trainer


Justine Sanchez NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer
NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer



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Ken Gardner is a licensed Professional Civil Engineer, Professional Land Surveyor, Licensed Electrician, Licensed Solar Contractor, ISPQ Certified Instructor, and NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer. Find Out More >
Ken Gardner ISPQ Certified PV Instructor
ISPQ Certified PV Instructor


Ken Gardner NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer
NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer



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Hailing from the Northeast, Khanti earned his self-designed degree in Renewable Energy Applications from Find Out More >
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Kris Sutton has worked full-time in the PV industry since 1999. Kris is a NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer and ISPQ Master Trainer. He regularly teaches technical Find Out More >
Kristopher Sutton NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer
NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer



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Kyle Bolger has been serving society an assortment of remedies from breve's to bandages for most of his life. He now enjoys teaching and working with Renewables as a remedy for our current energy Find Out More >
Kyle Bolger NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer
NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer



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Laura began her journey into the natural building field as the owner builder of Colorado's Roaring Fork Valley's first straw bale home in 1995. It ignited a passion that has led her to work, play and Find Out More >
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Lena was inspired to take leave from her high school teaching career to explore the world of renewable energy. She has built her experience from SEI, taking classes, helping construct their PV Lab Find Out More >
Lena Wilensky ISPQ Certified Master PV Trainer
ISPQ Certified Master PV Trainer


Lena Wilensky NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer
NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer



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Mike started working as a renewable energy professional in 1999. He's an electrical engineer and a licensed plumber -- a somewhat odd combination! He owns a small business designing, installing and Find Out More >
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Originally from Eugene, Ore., Paul Mync took several classes. His passion led him to the Bay Area where he worked as an installer for PV, DHW and solar assisted radiant floor heating. He left the Find Out More >
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Peter is the Technical Sales Coordinator for Oventrop Corporation. He has been active in solar hot water heating for over 25 years. Mr. Biondo carries a mechanical contractors license for Solar and Find Out More >
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Phil has been involved with photovoltaics and renewable energy education since 2004. He has installed systems in Colorado, New Mexico, Find Out More >
Phil Friedman ISPQ Certified Master PV Trainer
ISPQ Certified Master PV Trainer


Phil Friedman NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer
NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer


Phil Friedman NABCEP Certified PV Technical Sales
NABCEP Certified PV Technical Sales



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Rebekah Hren has been teaching PV workshops for Solar Energy International since 2007. A North Carolina native, her first PV system was a 300 watt array Find Out More >

Rebekah Hren ISPQ Certified PV Instructor
ISPQ Certified PV Instructor


Rebekah Hren NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer
NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer



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Roger has been passionate about renewable energy since taking a summer's worth of workshops at SEI in 2002.  He currently works in the SF Bay Area, project managing installations ranging from 3kw Find Out More >


Soozie believes that you should smash your tv and get outside more. When she's not outside teaching people how to sea kayak or mountaineer, she is skiing or biking or trying to live simply. When Find Out More >
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Susy Ellison is a science teacher at Yampah Mountain High School in Glenwood Springs, CO. In her 10 years there, she has developed programming in sustainable building and energy education. Students Find Out More >
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Tommy began his career installing PV systems in 2003 in the San Francisco Bay Area. Prior to entering the industry, he received a B.S. from the University of California, Berkeley in Environmental Find Out More >
Tommy Jacoby ISPQ Certified PV Instructor
ISPQ Certified PV Instructor


Tommy Jacoby NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer
NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer



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Tony Diaz is a licensed roofing and electrical contractor in the San Francisco Bay area of sunny California. Tony has contracted and built 2kw residential on up to 1mw commercial elevated tracker Find Out More >
Tony Diaz NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer
NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer



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SEI is deeply saddened by the loss of Walt Ratterman, who perished in the Jan. 12, 2010 earthquake in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Walt was an instructor, alumnus, supporter and friend of SEI. He was Find Out More >

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Zeke Yewdall grew up with off-grid PV in eastern Washington, and two engineering degrees later, decided to make a career of solar starting in 2002. He has designed and built grid-tied PV systems Find Out More >
Zeke Yewdall NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer
NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer



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