SOLAR ENERGY NEWS & TECHNICAL INSIGHTS
Utah Business: AES launches solar scholarship for Utah residents
Utah — AES, a global energy company accelerating the future of energy and a leading developer of utility-scale solar generation, has collaborated with Solar Energy International (SEI), a leading solar training educational non-profit, announcing today their new partnership to provide solar workforce development services in Utah. The partnership includes two elements: a scholarship fund for individuals, and consulting services for colleges and universities. Both aspects aim to ...
SEI Announces Solar Workforce Training Program for Utah Residents
AES to provide scholarships to support the initiative Paonia, Colo., February 10, 2022 — AES, a global energy company accelerating the future of energy and a leading developer of utility-scale solar generation, has collaborated with Solar Energy International (SEI), a leading solar training educational non-profit, announcing today their new partnership to provide solar workforce development services in Utah. The partnership includes two elements: a scholarship ...
Alumni Highlight: Roger, a retired energy engineer, learns solar
After spending 27 years working for an energy company, Roger had finally retired - but his passion for learning something new hadn’t. Working in the fossil fuel industry had revealed just how necessary electrical generation and use changes were, and Roger was convinced there was a better way to do things. But at 65 years old, what can you really do? Being no stranger ...
AltEnergyMag: Solar Forward to Assist Eagle County with Community Effort in Solarize Campaign
Solar Energy International (SEI)'s outreach program, Solar Forward anticipates a successful Eagle County program in 2022 after learning about the community's goals and broad stakeholder support. Eagle County, like many mountain towns, is seeking thoughtful solutions to mitigating their carbon footprint and is now making a holistic solar campaign, like Solar Forward, a part of that conversation. Solar Forward will help Eagle County promote ...
Solar Panel Protection from Critters
OVERVIEW Pesky rodents can cause major issues in any solar system. In this informative article, Trevor Schwartz, SEI alumni and Field Service Technician at StraightUp Solar, shares his expertise on solar panel protection from critters "I was documenting much of my work on the roof as a Service Tech and soon realized that squirrels are one of our main issues in the Service ...
Solar Forward to Assist Eagle County with Community Effort in Solarize Campaign
Eagle County’s Walking Mountains Science Center became Solar Forward’s latest community partner, backed by strong stakeholder involvement and holistic goals EAGLE COUNTY, CO- Solar Energy International (SEI)’s outreach program, Solar Forward anticipates a successful Eagle County program in 2022 after learning about the community’s goals and broad stakeholder support. Eagle County, like many mountain towns, is seeking thoughtful solutions to mitigating their carbon footprint and ...
NABCEP now available worldwide!
Attention international alumni! SEI is excited to announce that NABCEP certification just got more accessible. On October 17, The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners announced that for the first time NABCEP’s Photovoltaic (PV) Associate exam will be administered outside of North America. According to a press release on NABCEP’s website, the international exam will be the same one that is offered in North ...
SEI’s solar energy training impacts projects around the world
Lessons learned at Solar Energy International (SEI) can be life-changing for students who take our solar energy training both online and in-person at our campus in Paonia, Colorado. In the case of SEI alum, Estevan Figueroa, the impact of SEI classes will spread across the world as he takes what he learned in PV301L: Solar Electric Lab Week (Battery-Based) to Uganda. Estevan traveled to SEI’s ...
Alumni Highlight: Students Terry and Bill Jackson prepare for an install in Sudan in Paonia lab classes
Students gleefully huddled around the lab yard’s steep roof mounted solar system smiling for photos as the Solar Energy International (SEI) banner whipped in the wind in the background. Cameras flashed as photos abound and the soft crunch of wood chips enveloped the lab yard as the class scattered, certificates-in-hand, to say their final goodbyes: it’s graduation day at SEI’s campus in Paonia. Terry Jackson, ...
SEI Alumni Highlight: Daniel Saldarriaga – Vulcano Operations Director in Colombia Shares Advice and Experience
“—We can’t live on this planet leaving a CO2 mark - there has to be a way to change this destructive behavior that humans have. I think solar is a way to change that. Vulcano’s Operation Director - Daniel Saldarriaga “—On the other hand we have to help the economy. Not the macro economy which people in general doesn’t understand, but the day to day ...
Alumni Spotlight: Tim Chester
A confluence of passions led Tim to spend 8 weeks pursuing solar training at SEI’s training facility in Paonia, CO. A veteran and an educator, Tim recently completed SEI’s Solar Professionals Trainer Certificate Program before he begins his new job as a solar instructor newly developed solar training program at the Rural Institute for Veterans Education and Research (RIVER). RIVER is a a special program ...
SEI Student Spotlight: Eli Bowles
Eli Bowles has been in the renewable energy industry for over six years, but enrolled at Solar Energy International (SEI) to jump start his solar training! Eli is currently a Renewable Energy Instructor at the College of Southern Idaho with a background as a Wind Turbine Technician and training specialist. He brings years of practical and technical experience to his students but came to SEI to deepen ...
SEI’s Solar In the Schools (SIS) outreach program hosts its sixth Solar Lab Days for Delta County 8th graders
This week SEI's Solar In the Schools (SIS) outreach program hosted its sixth Solar Lab Days for Delta County 8th grade students. Due to weather 3 of the 4 middle schools were able to participate. Over two days 160 students spent the day at SEI’s campus rotating through hands-on energy labs which included lessons and activities in energy efficiency, climate change, solar site analysis, testing properties of ...
SEI Staff Stories: Roger Williams reflects on journey from SEI student to instructing PV201L
Check out this guest post written by SEI Instructor and PV Curriculum Developer Roger Williams: I quietly began my solar career (no, adventure!) in 2002, about 6 months after September 11th, 2001. That incident opened my eyes to a larger world - one in which we are all connected. Personally, I thought our reliance on oil was at least partially to blame, and I vowed ...
Solar Energy Trade Shows, LLC (SETS) Selects Solar Energy International (SEI) as Exclusive Conference Training Provider
Alexandria, VA (October 1, 2019) – Solar Energy Trade Shows, LLC (SETS), the team behind SPI, ESI, and North America Smart Energy Week, announced a new expanded partnership with Solar Energy International (SEI) to implement installer training content across select events within the Solar Power Events portfolio. As the solar industry is expanding, so too are the job opportunities. With solar installer jobs not only ...
Instructor Highlight: Why We Love PV201L with SEI Instructor and Curriculum Developer Karo Fernandez
By Karo Fernandez, SEI Instructor for PV201L and Curriculum Developer. PV201L… is where I get inspired I have been teaching for Solar Energy International (SEI) for six years. Every experience I have had as an instructor, especially through hands-on installation classes, has been rewarding. There´s always an opportunity for growth, in many different aspects of career and personal goals. Part of what I love about ...
Solar Energy International (SEI) awarded grant from the Western Colorado Community Foundation for sustainability upgrades on campus
The $5k prize will go toward a greener educational experience at SEI’s Paonia headquarters Paonia, CO– Solar Energy International (SEI) was chosen as a recipient of Western Colorado Community Foundation (WCCF)’s 2019 Environment grant, and the $5,000 will be put toward “reduce, reuse and recycle” efforts in their Paonia-based industry-leading lab yard. SEI is one of the longest running and most widely recognized technical solar ...
SEI Alumni in the Field: Commercial PV Installer for Namaste Solar
Ben Vandervliet first found out about Solar Energy International (SEI) classes from his brother who was a part of the SEI Solar Ready Vets program, and now he’s a full-time commercial PV installer with Namaste Solar based out of Fort Collins, Colorado. SEI can help launch your career in the solar industry, too! Ben shared details with us on how SEI classes helped him secure ...
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Solar Energy International (SEI) Celebrates the Week of Earth Day with Training Events and 40,000+ Alumni Milestone
Solar Energy International (SEI) celebrates the week of Earth Day 2015 with the kick off of our 2015 hands-on lab training season and online course sessions starting today - April 20th. Furthermore, SEI is celebrating a milestone this year of training over 40,000 students and alumni world-wide. Hundreds of students from all over the world have registered for this week's hands-on lab training season kick ...
[BREAKING NEWS – WATCH LIVE NOW] President Obama to Announce Expansion of Military Base Solar Training Programs
President Obama to Announce Expansion of Military Base Solar Training Programs President Obama announced last fall the launch of a pilot solar training program to provide service members transitioning out of active duty with the skills needed to become the leaders of the nation’s clean energy economy. Solar Energy International took on this mission through the Department of Energy’s Solar Instructor Training Network. With less ...
Solar Energy International (SEI) Celebrates 10 Years of Hands-on Renewable Energy Lab Training in Paonia, Colorado
Solar Energy International (SEI) is pleased to celebrate our 10th year of offering hands-on labs at our Paonia, Colorado campus with a full schedule of training available. The 2015 lab training season starts on April, 20th - we hope to see you here! Check out the 2015 Hands-on Labs training schedule... SEI has a rich tradition of teaching by doing. Over the past 24 years ...
SEI Alumni Highlight: Vincent Curry
About Vincent As a Safety & Quality Coach for SolarCity, I am responsible for observing work, both completed and in-process, and ensuring work environments are in compliance with SolarCity Safety and Quality policies. I report directly to the Area Safety Manager to whom I convey the results of job site audits, accident/incident investigations and develop innovative solutions to new risks. Safety & Quality Coaches are ...
Solar Energy International (SEI) Honors Graduating Marines and Sailors at Camp Pendleton through the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Reach for the Sun Training Program GallerySolar Energy International (SEI) Honors Graduating Marines and Sailors at Camp Pendleton through the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Reach for the Sun Training Program
Solar Energy International (SEI) Honors Graduating Marines and Sailors at Camp Pendleton through the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Reach for the Sun Training Program
Solar Energy International (SEI) is pleased to announce the first graduating class as part of the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) “Reach for the Sun” military solar training pilot program. This solar training program's goal is to provide military personnel who are transitioning out of active duty with the technical skills needed to become leaders in the world’s clean energy economy. Through the Solar Instructor ...
SEI Work Trader Position Open – Apply Today!
For over 20 years, SEI’s Work-Trade Program has enabled people from around the world to hone their renewable energy technology skills and improve their capabilities while helping to strengthen and grow SEI. In fact, the majority of our current staff were once work-traders! Program Overview: CURRENT WORK-TRADE POSITIONS: Summer Helper position This person will work at SEI’s PV lab facility in Paonia, Colorado. More than ...