SEI Selected for Technical Committee Representation NFPA 70 / NEC 2020
SEI is proud to announce that our non-profit school has been selected for official technical committee representation for the NFPA 70, National Electrical Code (NEC) 2020 edition!
SEI Curriculum Developer and Instructor, Rebekah Hren, was recently appointed to represent SEI as a Principal on Code-Making Panel 4 for the NEC. CMP-4 is assigned Articles 690, 691, 692, 694, 705, and 710 – including solar PV, Large-scale PV, Wind Systems, Interconnected Electric Power Production Sources, and Stand-Alone Systems.
Rebekah is currently working with the PV Industry Forum to draft public inputs to the 2020 NEC. SEI would like to encourage alumni and students to become more involved in the Code-making process by joining the Industry Forum.
Through participation in the technical committee as SEI's principal representative, Rebekah is in turn representing SEI's alumni and student body – don't forget you have a voice in the Code-making process!
Read more about the joining the PV Industry Forum here…
SEI Announces New Board Officers
 Solar Energy International is pleased to announce Paul Bony as the new Board President. Paul has a diversified background in marketing and delivering energy efficiency and renewable energy products and services at the utility, manufacturer, distributor, dealer and consumer level and presently works for The Electric Gas Industry Association as their Director of Renewables and Contractor Development.
“I am excited to be following in the footsteps of others who have helped steer this great organization and its incredible staff and instructors to its position of leadership in solar training. SEI has accomplished great things since its humble beginnings 26 years ago. With the help of our team, our alumni and our friends we are on course to achieve even more as we play our part to move to a world powered by renewable energy.”
Read more about SEI's New Board Officers…
Enroll Now for July 10th SEI Online Courses
 SEI ONLINE CAMPUS OVERVIEW VIDEO >>
Online Sessions Starting July 10th!
SEI Student Highlight: Susannah Pedigo
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.
Read more about Susannah…
Register Now! Join SEI at Intersolar 2017
Register NOW and get 20% OFF SEI workshop tuition for INTERSOLAR NORTH AMERICA 2017! Join us in San Francisco – July 11-13! For 20% off – use this code at check out: 171024BDF8631F
Solar Ready Colorado Update:
Governor Hickenlooper Supports Solar Energy!
Kevin Sova, SEI's Solar Ready Colorado Veterans Recruiter, attended the Solar Roller Race at the Denver Science and Nature Museum this month. He was privileged to be one of the 6 judges to score the students solar roller car designs and was there to answer various solar questions.
Also, Governor Hickenlooper showed up to present the trophies. Kevin got to talk to him about our Solar Ready Colorado initiative and present him with a set of our Envision360 Virtual Reality Viewer Goggles!
Read more about Solar Ready Colorado…
Welcome to SEI’s Newest
Americorps VISTA – Beata Ramza
Beata Ramza joins SEI as the sixth Americorp VISTA. She is working on education and outreach for the Solarize and C-PACE efforts as a member of the economic revitalization team.
The work will be a continuation of programs created by previous VISTAS in the efforts of community revitalization and empowerment through a solar market in the region. Originally from Chicago, Beata graduated from Valparaiso University in Indiana with a B.S. in Environmental Science. She has always had a passion for sciences and worked as a student assistant for her university, helping the professors and students with geomorphology and biology lab work.
She was lucky enough to spend one summer as an intern interpreter in Alaska leading visitors on guided nature hikes and narrated boat tours through the Chugach National Forest. This internship made her realize she also has a passion for teaching and sustainability. Beata is excited to be joining the SEI team and working to help others through sustainable energy and education.
And in Other SEI Team News…
We wish Faye Coats, Administrative Assistant, the best as she moves on to become the Office Manager for Empowered Energy Systems (EES). Faye isn’t going too far as EES is the selected PV installer for Solarize Delta County which is led by SEI’s Americorps VISTAs. We’re thrilled that we’ll continue to work together, even though we will miss having her (and her lovely British accent) in the office.
We wish Gerald Espinosa, former Americorps VISTA and contractor for our local economic development efforts, the best as he just began working as an installer at Namaste Solar in Denver. He’s joining the ranks of many SEI alumni who now work at Namaste. Though we miss him tons, all the office dogs are especially sad that Chimaya won’t be coming to the office to play.
And finally, congratulations to Orion (instructor) and Megan Thornton for the birth of Willa Rose. Our SEI family continues to grow.
SEI Hands-on Labs are Filling Fast – Enroll Now!
Watch SEI Training Overview Video >>
If you plan on attending our industry recognized training in Paonia, Colorado this year – YOU SHOULD ENROLL NOW!
View the 2017 Training Schedule >>
or call SEI Student Services at 970-527-7657 x1
REC Solar Sponsoring SEI Scholarship
REC Solar is sponsoring a scholarship for SEI’s PV351L: Tools and Techniques for Operation and Maintenance Lab Week, which is held from July 17-21 or August 28 to September 1, 2017 in Paonia, CO.
The ideal candidate will have previous solar training and experience. The selected scholarship applicant will be interviewed by REC Solar for a Maintenance Technician (II) position. The position is for the San Francisco Bay Area only, candidates must either currently live there or be willing to relocate otherwise should not apply for the scholarship.
More information about PV351L and the REC Solar Scholarship…
SEI Wraps Up Another Successful
PV110: Solar Water Pumping Class
Congratulations to the students who just completed PV110: Solar Water Pumping at Solar Energy International (SEI)! There is almost something magical about using energy from the sun to pump water – and often the sunnier it is the more water is needed!
Over three days, students heard presentations combined with hands-on experience and tours of local, operating systems. Now they are equipped to select the proper pump for the job, size the PV array, select equipment such as controllers and linear current boosters, and to properly install a system.
View more photos…
SEI's Micro-hydro Students are
Gushing with Excitement!
Earlier this month SEI had an amazing week of Micro-hydro training here in Paonia, Colorado! If you have access to this amazing renewable energy resource and if your local laws allow for it – micro-hydro can be one of the best renewable energy technologies to leverage!
MH101: MICRO-HYDRO DESIGN & INSTALLATION
This workshop covers design considerations as they apply to both low and high head micro-hydro systems. The focus will be on core concepts that may be applied to a wide range of hydro applications, including irrigation ditches that are commonly found throughout the Western U.S.
See more photos…
SEI's Co-founder Johnny Weiss
and Alum Lukas Kariongi
Maasai ‘Solar Warriors’
In 1997, Lukas Kariongi was an eager young Maasai from East Africa who traveled to Colorado to be trained as a solar technician by Solar Energy International (SEI). His tuition was generously covered by a scholarship sponsored by fellow SEI alum/supporter Dave Berger.
SEI’s retired Co-Founder Johnny Weiss has been traveling to Africa regularly to help Lukas and IRUSUT with grass-roots sustainable development.
SEI is proud to support Johnny’s international nonprofit solar projects and is excited to announce an upcoming Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign. The funds raised will establish a solar-powered Maasai community radio station and provide critical communication infrastructure throughout the Simanjiro District.
Stay tuned for more information about how you can contribute!
Want to Work for Johnny Weiss
as his Executive Assistant?
Johnny is actively working on special project in support of SEI’s Charitable Programs and is looking for an Executive Assistant!
May 2017 SEI Solar Professionals
Certificate Program Graduates
 Congratulations to our May 2017 SEI Solar Professionals Certificate Program graduates! These students have taken at least 200 training hours from SEI!
If you would like to be considered for admission into our most rigorous solar training program click here for more information >>
Congratulations goes to:
- Steven Augustyn
- Jeff Berman
- Tommy Carrillo
- James Carter
- Tim Chester
- Chris Dunlap
- Dan Eberle
- Timothy Jonas
- Pinard Joseph
- Kyle Karambela
- Mary Marshall
- Karim Salha
- Enrico Sidlasky
- Zachary Towles
- Michael Webber
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