SOLAR ENERGY NEWS & TECHNICAL INSIGHTS
Electrical Contractor Magazine: Native Champions for Solar: The sun is rising on renewable power installations on Tribal lands
As Red Cloud began contacting other Northern Plains tribes, he found interest in solar-generated electricity. He then reached out to Solar Energy International (SEI), a nonprofit based in Paonia, Colo., which is focused on training for solar electric and thermal installers. In 2008, he opened the Red Cloud Renewable Energy Center (RCREC) to bring professional training to Pine Ridge. Now, RCREC offers SEI-certified solar-installation training ...
The 19th Newsroom: Women are working to make the clean energy transition more equitable
In a profession dominated by men, solar training nonprofits and trade unions are providing networking opportunities, creating caregiving pilots and training men to be better allies against harassment. For decades, women have been working to carve out a safe space for themselves in the field. The first women’s solar training at SEI, for example, was created in 1999 after the institute noticed that only one ...
New report sheds light on the solarize, group buy model
A new report “The Solarize Model: A Synthesis from across the United States” from SEI discusses how the model is being employed at different scales Paonia, CO- The year was 2009 and a group of enterprising neighbors in a Portland neighborhood knew that they wanted to be able to produce their own electricity via rooftop solar and that they had power in numbers. ...
SEI and AES Launch Solar Workforce Development Program for New Mexico Residents
In partnership with Solar Energy International (SEI), AES supports solar scholarship program to stimulate local participation in New Mexico’s solar industry Paonia, Colo., July 26, 2022 — Solar Energy International (SEI), a leading solar training educational non-profit, has again collaborated with The AES Corporation, a global energy company accelerating the future of energy and a leading developer of utility-scale solar generation, to expand a solar ...
SEI is hosting multiple technical training seminars at RE+
Many of SEI’s team members will be attending and teaching at this year’s RE+ Conference (former SPI)! Join us in Anaheim between September 19-22, where you can connect with North American solar industry professionals and vendors as they share the latest insights impacting your business and showcase the newest products and services in the industry. RE+ gives you access to an attendee-base that represents over ...
Utah Solar Career Training Program Scholarship Launched by Solar Energy International (SEI) and AES
AES, a global energy company accelerating the future of energy and a leading developer of utility-scale solar generation, recently partnered with Solar Energy International (SEI), a leading solar training educational non-profit, to provide solar workforce development services in Utah. SEI's training program prepares people for a career in the clean energy sector with a focus on solar photovoltaic (electrical) technologies. With over 30 years of ...
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 ...
To Utility and Beyond
Susannah Pedigo came to Solar Energy International (SEI) with more than 20 years of management experience in the renewable energy sector. Her resume reads a lot like a recent history of the solar industry as she’s navigated the changes of the emerging market. Each role she took was newly designed to keep up with the changing demands of a growing industry. The unifying role of ...
SEI Instructors Reach New Heights in Solar
Jay Pozner and Lena Wilensky are SEI Instructors and solar extraordinaires with over 25 years of combined experience in the industry. For them, solar is a family affair. Jay, Lena and their daughter are based out of Almont, (on the Western Slope of Colorado) where they own and operate Nunatak Alternative Energy Solutions. Their business specializes in designing, installing, and maintaining power systems that will ...
SEI Team Member Highlight: Andrew Sprauer
Recently we had a chance to sit down for an interview with Andrew Sprauer, SEI's new Social Coordinator, who will be a great resource for our students when they are here this hands-on lab season. Andrew is super excited to show our students all of the great things to do while here in Paonia, Colorado. We asked Andrew to tell us a little more about ...
Strengthening Community Through Solar
Dayne came to Solar Energy International (SEI) with his eyes toward the future: his future career, a more prosperous future for his community, and a sustainable future for his wife and son. Dayne travelled from Lapwai, ID where he works at the Nez Perce National Historic Park and is a member of the Nez Perce Tribe. He sees solar as a way to support the ...
Media Queries
For general press inquiries, please contact us. Explore SEI’s Media Kit and Brand Guidelines.
Solar Energy International (SEI) Offers Advanced Solar Training Hands-on Lab for Solar Professionals – June 22
June 22nd in Paonia, Colorado PV351L: Solar Training - PV Systems - Tools and Techniques for Operation and Maintenance Lab Week (Grid-Direct) This intensive, advanced training is designed for solar professionals already working in the PV industry who want to take their skills to the next level. Students in this class will learn the theory behind and gain hands-on experience with a wide range of ...
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 ...