NEWS
SEI Dedicates New Tech Center to Ken Gardner
Many of SEI's local staff, board members, instructors, students, and friends recently came together to celebrate Ken Gardner's outstanding contributions to SEI over the years. Gardner, a long-time instructor, board member and previous board president, has made a significant impact ...
SEI Welcomes New Board President
Gerald Espinosa elected during March board meeting as former president Ken Gardner ends tenure Paonia, Colo., May 18, 2023 — Solar Energy International (SEI), a leading solar training educational non-profit organization, has announced that Gerald Espinosa from Pivot Energy was recently elected as their new Board President. Espinosa succeeds Ken Gardner, who served as Board President since 2016. Gerald joined SEI as an AmeriCorp VISTA in ...
SolarReviews’ Solar Industry Survey Results Now Available
SolarReviews’ Solar Industry Survey results are in and they're packed with exciting insights! With over 450 participants from across the industry, the survey, in partnership with NABCEP, reveals trends and expectations for 2023. The report highlights the top preferred solar brands, barriers to solar industry success, how the industry plans to adapt to the Inflation Reduction Act, and much more. Don't miss out on this ...
New Mexico Solar Workforce Development Program Making Strides
Students participate in a new solar scholarship program aimed at stimulating local participation in New Mexico’s solar industry Paonia, Colo., May 2, 2023 — July 2022 marked a milestone for Solar Energy International (SEI) as they partnered with The AES Corporation (AES) to increase access to solar energy education and career opportunities for New Mexico residents. Through the program's generous scholarship funds distributed by ...
The Shining Women of SEI
In celebration of Women's Day this month, we highlight the amazing women that make SEI shine everyday by expressing, through our own words, how these women inspire us everyday on the job. Amanda is eternally positive and helpful, with a knack for musical wordplay. Willing to go above and beyond to solve challenges, to help others. Amanda is the glue that keeps us ...
Hands-on Lab Students Now Get Exposure to Cutting-edge Battery Equipment
It's no secret that the solar industry has seen a shift towards residential energy storage systems due to grid reliability issues and evolving net metering policies. SEI is staying on top of it all by ensuring that the latest technology is in our curriculum and on our campus. We are excited to announce that we have added a 10kWh Enphase ...
Fluke supports Solar Energy International (SEI) as industry sponsor through equipment donation
Fluke’s generous donation will be featured in SEI’s industry-leading lab training facility in Paonia, Colorado PAONIA, CO. –Solar Energy International (SEI) is excited to announce its collaboration with Fluke as a megawatt-level industry sponsor through SEI’s Industry Sponsorship Program. Fluke achieved megawatt sponsor status through a donation of professional electronic test tools and softwareto be featured in SEI’s industry-leading lab training facility in Paonia, Colorado. ...
Alumni Highlight: Josh Rogers, from SEI student to Director of Solar Operations for Duke Energy Renewables
At Solar Energy International (SEI) we love to share exciting news about what our alumni are up to as they move forward in their careers out in the field. Alumni Josh Rogers is the Director of Solar Operations for Duke Energy Renewables in Charlotte, North Carolina. According to Josh, he first learned about SEI a couple months after an honorable discharge from the U.S. Navy ...
Alumni Highlight: From SEI student to 165 MW of solar projects across Minnesota!
John Middendorf attended Solar Energy International in 2008. After attending SEI, he worked for a small company called Apex out Saint Cloud, Minnesota. At Apex, John worked on residential and small commercial systems. In 2013, he started working for TruNorth Solar, where he built portfolios of up to 2.5 MW on rooftops and ground mounts. In 2015, John worked at Gehrlicher Solar, which turned into ...
SEI spinoff program Solar Rollers inspires youth with solar
A few years ago, SEI spun off Solar Rollers which was part of our Solar In the Schools program. Noah Davis started Solar Rollers, a PV-powered remote-controlled race car program for high schools, while working for SEI and went on to develop it into its own non-profit. Solar Rollers is now in it’s 3rd year and is growing by leaps and bounds. Solar Rollers mission ...
Check out the solar-powered clipper trike making its way across the Western U.S.!
This month, Eric Goakes stopped by Solar Energy International (SEI)’s campus in Paonia, Colorado during is cross country journey in his solar-powered “Clipper Trike.” The Trike is quite impressive! It can go up to 20mph on highways and interstates, in addition to having regenerative breaking and cruise control. It has 270W of solar on the bike which powers the motor on the rear wheel, a ...
Panasonic supports Solar Energy International (SEI) as key industry sponsor
Program recognizes highly-valued industry sponsors with long-term commitment to advancing SEI’s vision of a world powered by renewable energy PAONIA, Colo., – Solar Energy International (SEI) is excited to announce its collaboration with Panasonic Corporation of North America as a kilowatt-level industry sponsor through SEI’s Industry Sponsorship Program. SEI is a nonprofit training organization which offers cutting-edge solar and renewable energy training to the solar ...
New Training Center at SEI’s Colorado Campus
We are excited to announce SEI has added a new building to our Paonia, Colorado campus dedicated to teaching the latest in energy storage technology and energy management systems. The building integrates many cool features including 28.5kWh of lithium storage, 10kW of PV, a mini-split for heating and cooling, a load shedding energy management ...
SEI offering technical training at the 2023 NABCEP CE Conference
The NABCEP 2023 CE Conference is a unique event that is created by solar professionals for solar professionals and is intended to provide an affordable continuing education option for professionals who are interested in gaining the skills and knowledge to stay ahead of their competition. Earn up to 22.5 hours of Continuing Education Units (CEUs) to recertify your NABCEP Board Certification or 18 hours ...
New Course: EV Charging Equipment Preparedness
It can be tough to figure out all the details when it comes to Electric Vehicles (EV) and their associated charging equipment. SEI’s new on-demand course is designed to introduce you to what you need to know about EV’s and how to understand and implement electric vehicle charging equipment. Start today! After completing this course, participants will be able to: Contrast the difference between types ...
Serving Those Who Have Served
At SEI, we are proud to support all U.S. military service members who are currently wearing the uniform or have honorably served our country in the past through our Veteran’s Program. In recent years, we helped launch the Solar Ready Veterans Program through the Department of Energy's SunShot initiative, offering our training to help veterans start their solar career journey. Today, one of the ways ...
The Future is Bright for Our Youth Thanks to the Solar in the Schools Program
SEI’s Solar In the Schools (SIS) program is empowering K-12 teachers and students through renewable energy training, both online and in-person through experiential learning. This year, the program delivered hands-on learning presentations and training to over 800 students! With two focuses of the program, one aligned with younger students (K-8), and the other aimed at highschoolers, the program is having an impact across ...
A Life-changing Experience with Solar Education: Anaide’s Story
Solar Installation and Project Development is still a male-dominated sector of the solar industry, with just 27.8% of workers identifying as female. But through your support, SEI is changing that narrative by offering life-changing trainings and resources to women entering the solar workforce. Not only are we narrowing the gender gap and shifting the statistics, but we are empowering women to take a ...
Nextracker Launches Half the Sun, A Global Solar Scholarship for Women
In partnership with Solar Energy International (SEI), Nextracker initiates 3-year scholarship program to foster female participation in solar industry FREMONT, CALIF. USA, August 18, 2021 — Nextracker™, the market leader in yield-enhancing PV system technology and solar trackers, and Solar Energy International (SEI), the world’s leading renewable energy technical training provider, today announced their partnership ...
SEI and New Energy Equity announces the creation of the Lift as We Climb Foundation
ANNAPOLIS, MD, April 6, 2021- New Energy Equity LLC, a solar developer and financier based in Annapolis, MD, announces the creation and funding of its Lift as We Climb Foundation. The Foundation was started by New Energy Equity employees as part of a 2020 initiative called Operation Shared Success, supporting New Energy’s core purpose of “Leaving behind a better world”. Each year, New Energy Equity ...
Solar Island Energy and SEI announce their first round of recipients for the Caribbean Solar Energy Training Network Scholarship
Paonia, Colo., November 2, 2020 – Solar Island Energy and Solar Energy International (SEI) are thrilled to announce their first round of recipients for the Caribbean Solar Energy Training Network Scholarship: Sapphire Vital is joining the SEI student body from Commonwealth of Dominica with an incredible diversity of renewable energy, policy, and climate mitigation experience. She earned a BS in Civil with Environmental Engineering from ...
Solar energy education opportunities expand for Coloradans through Kenneth King Foundation Scholarships
Paonia, Colo., October 27, 2020 – Solar Energy International (SEI) and the Kenneth King Foundation announced today their partnership with support from GRID Alternatives Colorado to provide underserved Coloradans scholarships for solar skills job training, as well as performance-based stipends and support services to reduce the financial burden of pursuing career training and job placement support. 14 Coloradans living in the Denver Metro area ...
Solar energy education opportunities expand for Caribbean practitioners through the launch of the Caribbean Solar Energy Training Network (CaribSETNet)
Paonia, Colo., August 20, 2020 – Solar Island Energy and Solar Energy International (SEI) announced today their partnership to provide practical, technical skills training to current and aspiring Caribbean PV practitioners through the launch of the Caribbean Solar Energy Training Network (CaribSETNet). This year CaribSETNet will award 10 to 20 partial or full tuition scholarships in solar training to selected applicants to advance their professional ...
Red Cloud Renewable (RCR), Solar Energy International (SEI), and Remote Energy (RE) announce continued partnership with All Points North Foundation through the Tribal Train the Trainer (T4) Program
Native Americans Embrace the Sun A New Way to Honor the Old Ways ### This program has been made possible through the generous support of All Points North Foundation, The Turner Foundation, In Our Hands, the Carolyn Foundation and many individual contributors to Red Cloud Renewable. For more information, contact Richard Fox at richard@redcloudrenewable.org or (970) 391-0148. www.redcloudrenewable.org ### Pine Ridge, South Dakota (July ...
New scholarship fund offers solar energy education opportunities for Native Americans
Paonia, Colo., March 24, 2021. Solar Energy International (SEI) and REC Americas announced today their partnership to create a scholarship fund that provides financial assistance for Native American students seeking solar energy education through SEI. The scholarship aims to increase Native American Indian representation among the clean energy industry by awarding $10,000 in solar training tuition fees to hand-selected Native American students, helping to facilitate ...
Solar Energy International (SEI) announces two rural community partnerships for solar market development assistance
Garfield County and the Town of Nederland are slated to receive up to a year of technical advising through the Solar Forward program PAONIA, CO - Solar Energy International (SEI), an industry leader in solar energy technical training, is helping two Colorado communities kickstart solar markets through the Solar Forward Program in Q1 of 2021. The Town of Nederland, located in Boulder County, and ...
Solar Energy International (SEI) announces Executive Director, Kathy Swartz, will be stepping down
Greetings SEI Friends, Family and Supporters, Solar Energy International (SEI) has announced that our Executive Director, Kathy Swartz, will be stepping down as of May 31, 2021. Kathy has successfully led the industry-leading, internationally recognized, not-for-profit educational organization since 2012. “This has been such an incredibly difficult decision for me to make because I love this organization, the mission, and the people. I am so ...
NAES Corporation forms partnership with Solar Energy International (SEI) to deliver O&M Solar Technician training
Issaquah, WA., November 16, 2020 – NAES Corporation, one of the energy industry’s largest independent providers of operations, maintenance and repair services, has announced today their partnership with Solar Energy International (SEI) to provide Operations & Maintenance (O&M) Technician training to NAES employees. The collaboration, a continuation of NAES’ steadfast commitment to safety, integrity and quality of work, will provide professional solar education development to ...
Solar energy education opportunities expand for Coloradans through Kenneth King Foundation Scholarships
Paonia, Colo., October 27, 2020 – Solar Energy International (SEI) and the Kenneth King Foundation announced today their partnership with support from GRID Alternatives Colorado to provide underserved Coloradans scholarships for solar skills job training, as well as performance-based stipends and support services to reduce the financial burden of pursuing career training and job placement support. 14 Coloradans living in the Denver Metro area ...
Colorado Energy Office and Solar Energy International (SEI) launch strategic partnership to support communities working to transition to clean energy
STATEWIDE - Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2020 - The Colorado Energy Office (CEO) today announced it has launched a formal partnership with Paonia-based educational non-profit, Solar Energy International (SEI.) This strategic partnership will expand the reach of resources to Colorado communities working to transition to cleaner energy and increase economic recovery and resiliency. The partnership will expand and promote SEI’s Solar Forward initiative and CEO’s Building ...
Register Today for the NABCEP Virtual CE Conference
Will you be attending the NABCEP Virtual CE Conference between September 9th-24th? Many of our students and alumni will be there, and we highly recommend getting connected with NABCEP if you are serious about a career in solar energy! This is one of the MUST ATTEND conferences for solar professionals in the industry. In addition, don't miss the certified training opportunities that we will be ...
You’re Invited to EMPOWER 2020 | Virtual Solar Summit 20+ Speakers | 7 Sessions | Up to 4 NABCEP CEUs
https://youtu.be/4XBCksn_xw8 On July 23rd, join Aurora Solar with solar industry leaders, policy insiders, and growth experts as we discuss how the solar industry can navigate the challenges and possible opportunities amid COVID-19. The one-day virtual event features six panel sessions on practical topics such as digital lead generation, solar plus battery storage, digital permitting and more. View the summit schedule here—sign up for all ...
SEI Celebrates Women in Solar
International Women’s Day is a day to celebrate women's achievement, raise awareness against bias and take action for equality. At SEI, we want to honor all of the women working in the solar industry - both for their contribution in the energy transformation field, and for overcoming the barriers and challenges that women in the sector face every day. Furthermore, inspiring others with their experiences, ...
SEI is leading two free technical seminars at Middle East Energy in Dubai
Solar Energy International (SEI) will be leading two free technical seminars at Middle East Energy running March 3-5 in Dubai. If you haven’t already registered, you can sign up for a free visitor’s pass to attend the “world’s largest power conference,” which includes power professionals from over 130 countries and over 1300 exhibitors from around the globe. In its 44th year, Middle East Energy has ...
SEI hosting workshops and training at InterSolar 2020 North America
Between February 3-6, Solar Energy International (SEI) will be attending Intersolar North America 2020. Come and immerse yourself in our vibrant, in-depth technical training workshops, along with lively conference sessions to keep you up to speed on the latest trends and tech. On February 3, SEI will be conducting two paid workshops (see below), both of which have been approved for 4 NABCEP CE hours: ...
Intersolar North America 2020 is coming – get FREE access to the Expo Hall before Dec. 31, 2019
Intersolar North America is the premier solar event that connects innovators and decision makers in the solar + energy storage industry. With a dynamic exhibition floor and robust conference program, Intersolar North America provides business-to-business professionals a platform to advance business, expand education, and drive networking. Happening February 4-6 in San Diego, California, immerse yourself in three days of face-to-face business and networking and cutting-edge technical ...
Media Queries
For general press inquiries, please contact us. Explore SEI’s Media Kit and Brand Guidelines.
Blue Planet Energy Upgrades Solar Training Curriculum
For nearly 30 years, Solar Energy International (SEI) has been dedicated to training the global solar energy workforce. Instrumental in SEI’s curriculum is a Blue Ion battery with a recently-upgraded monitoring system, donated by Blue Planet Energy, enabling new digital training possibilities for future solar workforces. Blue Planet Energy’s Blue Ion battery is SEI’s only lithium-ion battery on campus, and its lithium iron phosphate ...
SEI’s Executive Director participates in PV Magazine Roundtables USA discussion
SEI’s Executive Director, Elizabeth Sanderson, recently took part in PV Magazine’s #RTUSA21 where she discussed what solar needs to expand, including the necessity for a diverse, inclusive and equitable workforce and creating better partnerships to facilitate job placement. Watch now!
How Far Have We Really Gotten With Alternative Energy?
There’s a lot of hype and confusion about carbon-free energy sources. This Wall Street Journal article looks at five of them: how much they produce, what they cost, and what obstacles they face. SEI's Executive Director, Elizabeth Sanderson, is briefly quoted in this extensive article. Note: you will need a WSJ subscription to access this article. READ FULL ARTICLE
Nextracker and Solar Energy International announce global scholarship to bring more women into solar
Nextracker and Solar Energy International (SEI) have announced their partnership to launch Half the Sun, a global scholarship program to support more women in joining the solar workforce. Women continue to be severely underrepresented in the solar industry, despite overwhelming agreement that a diverse workplace makes smart business sense. According the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), women account for only 28% of the Science, ...
Matthew Harris – Solar Energy International (SEI) Educational Programs in Latin America
Matthew harris first began his renewable energy journey in 1999 as a student of Solar Energy International (SEI) where he has also worked since 2004. Matthew holds a bachelor’s of science in architecture with a focus on restorative and resilient buildings. Matthew believes that the story of place is a key component to communities and to renewable energy development. during his time with ...
Solar Energy International helps two rural Colorado communities kickstart solar development
The Town of Nederland, located in Boulder County, and the entirety of Garfield County will implement holistic solar market development programs in their communities. Solar Forward provides the framework and materials for these programs, as well as a technical advisor to help community partners with implementation. The holistic approach includes tools to launch a solar bulk-purchase program, and access to free SEI solar workforce ...
SEI opens it’s first international Solar Training Center in Costa Rica, enroll today!
2018 is just starting, and while we all started to work on our New Year’s resolutions, Solar Energy International (SEI) will be accomplishing one of its biggest projects this year: the inauguration of SEI’s first international Solar Training Center in Costa Rica. This new training facility will accelerate and expand access to world-class solar training to Spanish speakers throughout Latin America, in line with SEI’s ...
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 ...
SEI Instructor Empowers Students
Solar Energy International has worked since its inception in 1991 to empower people with training in renewable energy. Entering the industry in a country where solar was just getting off the ground, SEI Instructor Karo Fernandez understands the power of passing on knowledge in solar, and the endless opportunity that comes along with access to a new industry. “SEI has completely changed my perspective on ...
Solar Energy International (SEI) responde a la Prohibición de Viajar (Travel Ban) de Estados Unidos con un Programa de Becas
A todos los Alumnos Internacionales de SEI, Futuros Estudiantes y Amigos: Las acciones y anuncios hechos recientemente por la nueva administración de Estados Unidos sobre de la prohibición de viajar, la construcción de paredes en las fronteras, han sido noticias muy perturbadoras para nosotros porque impactan directamente en la relación que construimos con ustedes. Ya que estas políticas continúan desarrollándose rápidamente, ciertamente entendemos que algunos ...
Solar Energy International (SEI) Welcomes Pía Day to the Spanish Solar Training Program
SEI welcomes Pía Day to the team as the Marketing and Communication Assistant for the Spanish Program! With a degree in advertising and a background in social responsibility and innovation, she will help disseminate the mission of SEI across Latin America help increase the awareness of the Spanish Program within the Hispanic community. Through her participation with various nonprofits, Pía learned that giving just a ...
Solar Energy International’s (SEI) Programa Hispano Alumni Spotlight: Natalia Gómez
Natalia Gómez came to Solar Energy International (SEI) to attend hands-on solar installer training as a part of SEI’s Programa Hispano. She travelled to SEI’s Paonia, CO training facility from Bogotá, Colombia to complete FV201L, a hands-on, lab-based course in grid-tied, residential photovoltaic systems taught entirely in Spanish. She hopes to bring more renewable energy back to Colombia through her education at SEI. In her ...
Resources for Energy in Agriculture Webinar
Want to learn more about the potential money and energy savings in agriculture? Join Solar Forward, the Colorado Energy Office, and the Colorado Department of Agriculture for our webinar on “Resources for Energy in Agriculture,” Wednesday, November 17th at 1pm MT. In 2013, the Colorado Energy Office developed a study of energy efficiency and renewable energy potential in Colorado. This study established the baseline data ...
Free Seminar: Grow your Business with C-PACE Financing
Join us for a FREE one-hour seminar to learn about how the Colorado C-PACE program and Colorado Clean Energy Fund (CCEF) provides options to commercial and industrial building owners that can help finance up to 100% of RE improvements. Seminar topics include: C-PACE background & market opportunity CCEF overview and mission Meeting the needs of key gatekeepers “How it works” best practices Program case studies Resources Happening Tuesday, September 7 from ...
Solarize Garfield County campaign sends solar investment through the roof
$2.8 million in installations attributed to Solarize Garfield County The recent Solarize Garfield County campaign generated $2.8 million in rooftop solar and battery investment, added nearly a megawatt of renewable energy to the grid and helped county residents bank $270,000 in rebates, according to figures released by CLEER. The program, which Garfield Clean Energy spearheaded from March to June, exceeded all expectations, said Carbondale Trustee ...
Nederland generates local economic development with Solar Forward!
In 2017, the Town of Nederland, Colorado resolved to be powered by 100% renewable energy by 2025. One valuable way of achieving this goal is to empower residents and businesses in their access to rooftop solar. In February, Nederland partnered with Solar Forward to bring more rooftop solar to the community and when the program wrapped up on July 16th, they had increased the installed ...
Renewable energy continuing to payoff for Colorado family farm
Colorado is home to bountiful regions, innovative farmers, and a legendary 300 days of sunshine, making solar energy a precious commodity for farmers like Steve Ela of Ela Family Farms, a fourth-generation fruit farmer and Delta County, Colorado resident. To increase the ability for farmers like Steve to not only produce delicious local food, but to do so more sustainably and economically, Colorado offers the ...
SEI welcomes Ellen Ross as the new Solar Forward Program Manager
Mary Marshall leaves the role after four years of support for growing solar markets SEI’s Solar Forward program is pleased to announce exciting transitions happening on the Team. After founding the program and growing it across the state for four years, current Program Manager Mary Marshall is stepping away from the program to begin her next chapter at Yale University in New Haven, ...
Solar Power World: SOLV Energy, SEI create new Women in Solar scholarship program
SOLV Energy and Solar Energy International (SEI) announced their partnership to create the SEI Women in Solar program to empower women from all over the world through solar energy training, networking, mentorship and clean energy employer and job connections. The goal of this program is to create a global network of women who are considering career pathways in the clean energy sector and to support solar professionals ...
Pivot Energy Enables Renewable Energy Careers by Supporting Solar Energy International
Pivot Energy’s reinvestment will support SEI’s ambitious goal to train 270k+ solar workers by 2025 DENVER, CO: Today, Pivot Energy is excited to announce its efforts to support education and career development in the solar sector through its partnership with Solar Energy International (SEI). Pivot’s financial support will help the internationally recognized educational nonprofit open its widely respected renewable energy training courses to more students, ...
Agrivoltaics: The New Frontier
By Eryka Thorley, Master in Environmental Management student and SEI Fellow “It’s now or never” is the succintest way to abbreviate the latest warning from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). If the world is going to avoid the worst of the climate crisis, climate mitigation needs to happen now and with greater impact. Specifically the world needs to reduce global carbon emissions by ...
SEI 15th Annual Instructor and Staff Training Week
This month SEI celebrated our 15th Annual Instructor and Staff Training Week. During this dedicated time, the brightest solar minds in the industry gathered to share knowledge, best practices, unique experiences, and good times! This year speakers included: Ken Gardner, SEI’s Board President presented the latest and greatest tips and tricks for installation. SEI instructor Zeke Yewdall gave a presentation focused on large off-grid ...
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 ...