SOLAR ENERGY NEWS & TECHNICAL INSIGHTS
SEI Partners with Lnotch Africa STEM Initiative to Bring Solar Education to Kenyan Schools
Solar Energy International (SEI) recently formed a new partnership with Lnotch Africa STEM Initiative to launch the "Solar in Schools – Kenya Chapter" program, bringing hands-on renewable energy education to underserved secondary schools across Kenya. Led by Lyhane Nidhamu and his team, the initiative will establish solar clubs in schools, provide comprehensive teacher training, ...
Ode to JW – Sentiments from Scott Ely
I first met Johnny in the Fall 1986 while working at Novan Energy in Boulder. One of my cohorts told me about the Solar Retrofit Program at Colorado Mountain College in Glenwood Springs. So, I rode up to Glenwood with my friend to check things out. Johnny, Ken Olson and Steve McCarney immediately sold me on the renewable energy path and I was off and ...
SEI and Solar Tech Collective Partner to Launch New NFPA 70B Course for Electrical Equipment Maintenance
Paonia, CO - August 14, 2025 — Solar Energy International (SEI) and Solar Tech Collective (STC) are excited to announce the official launch of a new on-demand course, "NFPA 70B: The Standard for Electrical Equipment Maintenance," available now on SEI’s Online Campus. This course, developed by Solar Tech Collective and hosted by SEI, offers a comprehensive , deep dive into the updated NFPA 70B — a ...
Solar Training at The Energy Expo 2025
Solar Energy International (SEI) will be offering two technical workshops during The Energy Expo in Miami, Florida, August 20 -21, 2024. Each session will be offered in both English and Spanish, and attendees will earn NABCEP credits. These workshops are designed for industry professionals looking to enhance their knowledge and earn continuing education credits while connecting with leaders in clean energy from across the ...
In Loving Memory of Johnny Weiss
A dear friend, mentor, and solar pioneer Dear friends, It is with a heavy heart that we are writing you today to honor the life and legacy of Johnny Weiss—a trailblazer in solar energy, a teacher to thousands, a rebel with a radiant cause, and a friend whose light touched every corner of this world. Johnny passed away peacefully at home in Paonia, Colorado in ...
Solar Training at RE+ 2025
Join us at this year's RE+ Conference for cutting-edge solar training and industry insights! Our SEI team members will be on-site to deliver comprehensive training sessions and share their deep expertise with attendees. This is your opportunity to connect with leading industry professionals and vendors while staying ahead of the latest developments in the North American solar market. Expand your knowledge base, enhance ...
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 ...
Alumni Highlight: Engr. Muhammad Amjad Khan of Lomas Energy shares about the Sialkot Housing Compound
We love to highlight SEI alumni using the training they've learned in our classes out in the field. Engr. Muhammad Amjad Khan, Director of Operations at Lomas Energy Pvt. Ltd, shared an article with us about one of their most recent projects. Check out his article submission below: Sialkot Housing Compound April 2019 Over the last 20 to 30 years, the need for people to ...
Solar Energy International (SEI) and Red Cloud Renewable Launch Tribal Train the Trainer Program
SEI is proud to once again join hands with Red Cloud Renewable Energy Center (RCR) bringing advanced solar PV expertise, with an accessible technical curriculum that puts power into the hands of learners. Our ‘Tribal Train the Trainer’ model creates a new web of skillful solar trainers, equipped to initiate solar teaching and related projects in their own communities. Collaboratively, with generous support from All Points North Foundation, ...
Happy Earth Week: Here’s Your Chance to Win a FREE SEI Class!
HAPPY EARTH WEEK! Monday, April 22 is officially Earth Day, but at Solar Energy International (SEI) every day is Earth Day. We’re taking this week to celebrate the successes and journeys of our SEI students and alumni. On Earth Day we’re making a BIG announcement: One person in our network is going to receive an SEI online PVOL course of their choosing FOR FREE! Here’s ...
2019 lab sessions starting soon: Check out new additions to the SEI campus!
Paonia, Colorado is home to Solar Energy International (SEI)’s industry leading solar energy technical training facility. Since the early 2000s, tens of thousands of students have received hands-on experience in installing and commissioning solar systems at our lab yard. SEI offers classes on a variety of critical topics for industry professionals from grid-tied, to battery-based, and more advanced O&M classes. We’re constantly updating our lab ...
Underserved Coloradoans will continue to receive solar energy education scholarships in 2022, thanks to The Kenneth King Foundation
Paonia, Colo., August 30, 2021 – Solar Energy International (SEI), The Kenneth King Foundation, and GRID Alternatives Colorado, announced today the continuation of their partnership to provide underserved Coloradans with scholarships, performance-based stipends, and support services to reduce the burden of pursuing solar training and job placement. Focused on improving Coloradans lives, The Kenneth King Foundation Scholarship Fund brings hope to many in the midst ...
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 ...
FIMER supports Solar Energy International (SEI) through Industry Sponsorship
FIMER’s generous donations over the next 3 years will help SEI realize their vision of building a global solar energy workforce. PAONIA, CO. , JUNE 5, 2020 – Solar Energy International (SEI) is excited to announce its collaboration with FIMER as a watt-level industry sponsor through SEI’s Industry Sponsorship Program. FIMER’s generous contributions will help cover SEI’s general operating expenses to facilitate the building of ...
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 [email protected] or (970) 391-0148. www.redcloudrenewable.org ### Pine Ridge, South Dakota (July ...
Solar Energy International (SEI) and BayWa r.e. Solar Systems Invest in Industry’s Future, Award Solar Training Scholarships
Scholarship targets industry entrants needing an economic hand up, applications for second round still open SANTA FE, New Mexico – June 25, 2020 – Solar Energy International (SEI) and BayWa r.e. Solar Systems LLC (BayWa r.e.) today announced they have selected the first five recipients of solar training scholarships from the BayWa r.e. Scholarship Fund. The $10,000 scholarship fund was created earlier this year ...
Solar Energy International (SEI) announces new Duke Energy Renewables Scholarship
Duke Energy Renewables provides $10,000 to jump-start job readiness in U.S. commercial solar energy industry Funds will be used to support Solar Energy International’s education scholarship program CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Duke Energy Renewables and Solar Energy International (SEI) today announced their partnership to provide a scholarship fund to assist Americans who have experienced recent job displacement due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The scholarship fund will award ...
An important message from SEI’s Executive Director
Dear SEI Solar Family, We must do better. As an organization we stand in solidarity with those fighting to end systemic racism and violence in America. We mourn George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and the far too many others whose lives have been destroyed by racism. Enough is enough. We can’t all be on the front lines of the protest, but each of us ...
Don’t miss SunCast Puerto Rico’s 3D Virtual Event!
Get a 10% registration discount with exclusive code SEI2020! SunCast Puerto Rico, a collaboration between the Solar + Energy Storage Association of Puerto Rico (SESA) and SunCast Media, kicks off on October 12-14. This exciting, fully-immersive 3D virtual conference features industry thought-leaders, the latest technology and solutions, and programming supporting Puerto Rico’s 100% renewable energy future. As with an in-person experience, attendees can explore the ...
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: ...
Media Queries
For general press inquiries, please contact us. Explore SEI’s Media Kit and Brand Guidelines.
Solar Energy International expanding online solar training during pandemic
Solar training organization Solar Energy International is postponing all in-person training that was scheduled for March through May, but will have an expanded focus and training options through the SEI Online Campus during that time. “We wanted to reach out to all of our students, alumni, employers and supporters to let you know SEI is open for business and that we are pushing forward ...
Solar Energy International (SEI) recognized by Clinton Foundation for Solar Workforce Training in Latin America
Puerto Rico, February 19, 2020 - Solar Energy International (SEI) was recognized as an exemplary commitment maker by Secretary Hillary Clinton during the Clinton Foundation CGI Action Network on Post-Disaster Recovery event in Puerto Rico. Matthew Harris, SEI’s Spanish Program Business Development Director, represented SEI’s partnership with Bosque Modelo on the Work-Based Training for Women in Renewable Energy commitment to action. [yotuwp type="videos" id="LiSi-WxzvHU" column="1" ...
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 ...
Solar Energy International (SEI) Spanish Program Job Opportunity – Marketing and Communications Assistant
SEI is excited to be hiring a NEW position to our growing Spanish training program. The Spanish Program at SEI was founded in 2013 to provide solar PV training for Spanish speakers within and outside the US, namely Latin America. The SEI Marketing and Communications Associate (MCA) is responsible for implementing the strategy around the messaging and marketing of SEI’s Spanish Program. Through working with ...
Solar Energy International’s (SEI) Spanish Program Completes Solar Installer Training Lab Week
Solar Energy International’s Programa Hispano (Spanish Program) welcomed thirteen students from all over Latin America to SEI’s solar training facility in Paonia, Colorado. The students came to SEI to attend “FV201L: Laboratorio Fotovoltaico de Sistemas Conectados a la Red- Práctico or Grid-Direct Photovoltaic Systems Laboratory. The class was taught entirely in Spanish by SEI instructors Brad Burkhartzmeyer and Chris Brooks, and assisted by the Spanish ...
The Chile Blog (En Español e Inglés)
December 8, 2015; System Commissioning Today was a great day under the sun. We completed the first round of system installs, commissioned and connected to the grid. It was a wonderful sense of accomplishment for the students as they continue to apply what they learned in the classroom. Tomorrow we will rotate groups and do it all over gain. I leave you with some pictures ...
¡Solar Energy International Seleccionado por el Gobierno de Chile para Capacitaciones Técnicos Solares!
La semana pasada la Presidente de Chile, Michelle Bachelet, anunció el programa “Becas Capital Humano,” un programa que capacitará a 150 técnicos/profesionales de Chile entre noviembre de 2015 y abril de 2016. El programa es apoyado por la Corporación de Fomento de la Producción (CORFO), una organización del gobierno de Chile dedicada a mejorar la competitividad productiva del país a través de la innovación. Las ...
Solar Energy International (SEI) Selected by Chilean Government for Technical Solar Training
¡The President of Chile announces the program “Scholarships for Human Capital,” solar workshops for 150 Chileans, lead by SEI! Last week the President of Chile, Michelle Bachelet, announced the program “Scholarships for Human Capital,” a program that will train 150 professionals from Chile between November of 2015 and April of 2016. The program is made possible by the Corporation of Production Development (CORFO), a governmental ...
Grist: Solar power’s continued success rests on diversifying its workforce
Meeting projected demand will require a far larger pool of installers and technicians. Employing women and people of color is the industry's best chance to achieve that. I’ve been working in the solar industry across three continents for nearly 20 years. I’ve been a part of community installations, and I’ve supported women in the remote Indian islands of Sundarbans as they’ve expanded their solar charging ...
Solar Energy International (SEI) Achieves Bronze Certification for Advancements on DEIJ Issues
Paonia, CO, September 29, 2022 — Today Solar Energy International (SEI) announced it has achieved Bronze certification through the Diversity Equity Inclusion and Justice (DEIJ) Certification Program from the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA). Earning this certification demonstrates SEI’s commitment to creating a more inclusive and diverse workplace and culture in the solar industry. “We are dedicated to creating an equitable workplace, inclusive learning environment, ...
Solar Energy International (SEI) Announces Strategic Reorganization and New Leadership
A new Executive Leadership Team (ELT) has been created as part of a year-long strategic planning process. Paonia, Colorado - Solar Energy International (SEI) today announced a transformative divisional and leadership reorganization, aimed to meet the workforce training demands of a fast-growing, technically challenging, and increasingly diverse solar industry. SEI’s board of directors is proud to share that this new Executive Leadership Team (ELT) has been created as part of ...
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 ...
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 ...