AES, a global energy company accelerating the future of energy and a leading developer of utility-scale solar generation, has partnered with Solar Energy International (SEI) to provide workforce development services in Colorado, including a scholarship fund for 15 Colorado residents to enroll in SEI’s North America Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) PV Associates online training package, which includes PVOL101 and PVOL203 classes along with the NABCEP PV Associates test.

If you are a Colorado resident and would like to apply for an AES-funded scholarship, click the button below.

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Half the Sun is a needs-based scholarship program that aims to address the lack of gender diversity by increasing pathways into the industry and fostering the next generation of female and non-binary solar professionals. It will award financial assistance for professional training in the form of tuition fees for applicants pursuing a range of solar industry education. With the global renewable workforce set to grow by almost 30 million people by 2030, Half the Sun can help shape this workforce with a more diverse pool of candidates.

Each year for three years, the program will provide 10 students with a full scholarship for an SEI solar training course lasting six weeks. To best serve the global communities and markets Nextracker serves, we will be selecting candidates that are representative of each community.

From the date the awards will be announced, Half the Sun Scholarship recipients will have access to regional members of the Nextracker Women’s Network if so desired. This aligns with the Nextracker Women’s Network mission to unite, promote and inspire diversity in the workplace through social networking, educational opportunities and professional development. Recipients will gain access to Nextracker’s established professional network to bridge solar job placement and offer a platform to discuss shared experiences in the workplace, from the challenges of working motherhood to gender imbalances in the workplace.

This scholarship is for English and Spanish speaking women and individuals who identify as non-binary. If you’d like to apply for a Half the Sun scholarship, click the button below.

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The scholarship aims to build a more inclusive and diverse industry talent pipeline in the solar workforce by empowering spanish-speaking, soon-to-be energy experts with the necessary solar training provided in their native language, helping to facilitate their professional development and eventual entry into the solar energy workforce.

Scholarship recipients will not only have access to SEI’s qualified technical training in Spanish, but also to Spanish speakers’ advisors that will provide them support before, during and after their solar journey with SEI.

2023 saw an expansion of this scholarship with the addition of a new fund focused on women interested in entering the solar field.

This program is intended to serve both:
-Spanish speakers seeking solar energy education.
-Women, and those who identify as such, interested in entering the solar field. If you are a woman applying for this scholarship, select the ‘Women in Solar Scholarship’ option on your application.

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This scholarship is open to students who demonstrate active involvement in promoting the equal rights and the acceptance of gay, lesbian, transgender, and other LBGTQIA+ communities, and are interested in joining the solar industry or progressing their solar careers. SEI is initiating this scholarship to “put our money where our mouths are;” in the pursuit of diversity and inclusion, this scholarship aims to advance equity by creating tangible educational and workforce opportunities for LGBTQIA+ people.

If you’d like to apply for a PRIDE scholarship, click the button below.

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BayWa r.e. Solar Systems LLC is a leading U.S. solar distributor committed to providing a best-in-class order fulfillment solution that combines robust logistics and streamlined warehousing. The health of the solar industry, and the interests of businesses and home owners who seek to add solar to their properties, depend on well qualified installers who are committed to quality and safety.

With this in mind, we strongly support the work of Solar Energy International to provide carefully designed training to continue expanding the pool of expert solar installers in the U.S. market. As part of our ongoing efforts to help support a healthy solar industry, we are pleased to support the SEI mission. This scholarship fund was created to expand access to this training to pay for their coursework.

BayWa r.e. is here to help solar contractors succeed. With an experienced team of solar veterans, an advanced webstore, and nationwide shipping form regional hubs, BayWa r.e. gets your products where you need them and on time. Read 10 Reasons to partner with BayWa r.e.

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This scholarship aims to increase Native American representation among the clean energy industry. The scholarship will award $50,000 in solar training tuition fees to hand-selected Native American students to help facilitate their professional development and eventual entry into the solar energy workforce. With a strong belief that there is a career for everyone in the solar industry, the scholarship aims to elevate underrepresented voices to strategically address some of the weaknesses prevalent in the industry. By empowering soon-to-be solar energy experts with the necessary training, the scholarship will help strengthen and build a more diversified solar workforce.

The scholarship funding is open to students in the U.S. who are at least 1/4 Native American Indian and a member of a federally recognized tribe. Selected candidates will be given tuition funds to cover SEI’s online or in-person training, with a goal of eventual job placement with a partner company.

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Through the Clean Energy for Everyone program, IGS Energy, headquartered in Dublin, Ohio, and supported by team members working throughout the U.S., has partnered with nonprofits in communities across the country to increase access to solar energy and jobs in the solar industry. IGS Energy supports programs that increase access to solar energy (domestically and internationally) for households where energy access is unreliable and unaffordable and invests in programs that support underrepresented populations and people living and working in communities that have historically relied on fossil fuels to drive their local economies.

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Duke Energy Renewables, who operates wind and solar generation facilities across the U.S., is pleased to provide a scholarship to assist Americans who have experienced recent job displacement due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Focused on supporting communities economically affected by the pandemic, Duke Energy Renewables’ SEI scholarships have been established with the goal of empowering soon-to-be solar energy experts with the necessary training to quickly join a growing and secure solar workforce. The scholarship fund will award $10,000 in solar training tuition fees for SEI online or in-person training to selected students to support their professional development and eventual entry into the solar energy workforce.

Please note that SEI will be selecting the scholarship recipients and that the scholarship does not include or guarantee employment with Duke Energy Renewables. The $10,000 scholarship fund will be dispersed among several recipients.

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Solar Energy International (SEI) is excited to announce a new scholarship opportunity provided by the Kenneth King Foundation.

Established in 1990, the Kenneth King Foundation is a private, grantmaking organization. Located in Denver, Colorado, the Foundation’s mission is to perpetuate and expand the humanitarian principles developed by their late founder Kenneth King. Today, they support organizations that provide basic needs, create jobs, and foster entrepreneurship.

The Kenneth King Scholarship Fund is designed in partnership between Solar Energy International and the Kenneth King Foundation with support from Grid Alternatives Colorado to provide underserved Coloradans scholarships for solar skills job training, as well as performance stipends and support services to reduce the financial burden of pursuing career training, incentivize engaged participation, and support job placement of successful participants.

• 14 Coloradans will be eligible to receive 100% scholarship assistance, career resources, professional development, and job placement support.
• 14 participants will be eligible to complete SEI’s introductory solar course online, PV/FVOL101: Solar Electric Design and Installation (Grid-direct) in English or Spanish, and SEI’s safety course online, CE523: Residential/Commercial Roof-Mounted PV Installation Safety in English.
• 8 participants will be eligible to complete SEI’s introductory course suite including PV/FVOL101: Solar Electric Design and Installation (Grid-direct), PV/FV203: PV System Fundamentals (battery-based), and CE523: Residential/Commercial Roof-Mounted PV Installation Safety, as well as sit for the NABCEP Associates Exam.

Participants will also be awarded stipends upon successfully completing training by meeting the following milestones:
• Successfully complete PV/FVOL101: Solar Electric Design and Installation (Grid-direct) with passing grade of 70% or higher: awarded $250 completion stipend
• Successfully complete PV/FV203: PV System Fundamentals (battery-based) with passing grade of 70% or higher: awarded $250 completion stipend
• Sit for NABCEP Associates exam: awarded $100 completion stipend

The Kenneth King Scholarship Fund is designed specifically to serve Coloradans. Eligible participants include Colorado residents who:
• Apply now – participants are selected on a first come, first served basis
• Are on the verge of, formerly or currently homeless, unemployed, previously incarcerated, immigrants, refugees, single parents, low-income families, justice involved individuals, and or people with disabilities.
• Ability to complete course delivered in English or Spanish
• 18 years of age or older
• A legal resident of the state of Colorado
• Complete scholarship application
• Agree to share periodic progress reports and photo which may be used for marketing purposes

To apply, click the button below or call 970.527.7657, option 1.

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Para aplicar en español, haga click en el botón de abajo o llame al 970.527.7657, opción 8.

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Project Solar Rise will provide Maryland residents pursuing careers in solar energy with scholarships for solar skills job training and support for job placement. The Project is designed to serve eligible participants identified by Power52, including Maryland residents who are under or unemployed, previously incarcerated, immigrants or refugees.

Power52 will receive $7,250 as a charitable contribution to support construction of an interactive, experiential, outdoor training space for teaching clean and renewable energy technical skills, and to cover the fee ($375/person) for six participants to sit for professional certification exams.

SEI will receive $5,250 which will provide approximately eight Maryland residents sponsored by Power52 with scholarship assistance, technical training, and career resource support.

Through the Lift as We Climb Foundation, New Energy Equity is looking forward to contributing to these and other organizations committed to building a better world for people from all walks of life.

From the Webster Family:

We could certainly talk for days about Austin, the amazing son, brother, friend and person. However, we will simply give you a small glimpse into his special heart, and how he discovered his passion for making the world a better place through solar energy.

Though Austin did not have many faults in our eyes, he was always looking to better himself.  Austin was a notorious “list” writer all his life. These lists addressed everything; things he needed to do for school, things he needed to do at his house, things he needed to do at work, things he needed to do on a Thursday, and things he needed to do next year. In his scraggly script, he wrote “pay rent to Jean”, “check ticket sale dates for Counterpoint”, “get dad to cut my hair”, and other routine tasks.

Then there were his big lists;  “What Do I Believe?”, “What Do I Want?”, “What Have I Done Right?” and “What Can I Do Better?”. Austin wanted to be inspired and to inspire. Austin wanted to be wealthy in happiness. Austin wanted to have no enemies. Austin believed that the right thing to do isn’t always the easy thing. Austin valued honesty and straightforwardness. Austin believed it was important to remain optimistic in certain contexts, but to also be realistic. Austin felt he should be less judgmental.  Austin felt he should connect with family and friends more, and show gratitude. Austin believed he could do anything he wanted, but not everything. Austin believed his primary goal was improving the world and this should be the primary goal for everyone. Austin believed that “All of this is a miracle.”

Austin fell in love with solar around the end of 2016. This love was nurtured by his “networking” at the City Tap, a bar where he worked in Pittsboro, NC. The Tap is a unique local bar, catering to aspiring musicians, local breweries, and people from all walks of life. It was at the Tap that Austin truly found peace in the man he had become. Austin possessed a heartfelt and genuine passion to help provide natural, clean, and affordable sources of power for families of all backgrounds. Through his contacts at the Tap and other extensive research, Austin found The NC Clean Energy Technology Center at NC State University.  He approached us with his ideas and desire to start the Renewable Energy Technologies Diploma Series. In May of 2017, he eagerly registered for the first workshop in the series. Completion of this 40-hour workshop sent him on his way into the world of photovoltaic (PV) systems and becoming a certified PV installer. In the fall of 2017, Austin accepted a job with Sun Dollar Energy, a family owned solar energy company which offers residential solar panel installations. To say Austin was happy is an understatement. Working on rooftops, in the heat and the cold, Austin found his calling. In June of 2018, Austin completed a second workshop at the Technology Center. Austin was saving money for his journey to Solar Energy International (SEI) in Paonia, Colorado, with plans to enroll in their Solar Professional Programs. He was already taking SEI’s introductory on-line courses. Austin passed away on July 27, 2018 under circumstances beyond his control. Though he will not achieve further solar certifications, we know that he would be honored to assist other deserving individuals to reach this goal.  This is our purpose and our objective. With the help of our special friends in the National Independent Service Association, the Live It Like Austin Scholarship was established.

Without a doubt, our sweet, gentle man improved our world and continues to make the world better for all of us. Hopefully and with every ounce of our existence, we can all follow his beautiful and inspiring example.

With love, hugs and remembering always to Live It Like Austin,

Teri, Richard, Audrie, Vini, Viviana, Andrew and Jessica

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From Scott Ely:

One of my best friends and long-time solar buddy, Levi Heinold, passed away in late February of 2018. As I continue to wrestle with this reality, I got to thinking about what he represented to anyone and everyone in his orbit.

I first met Levi at a Solar Technology Institute PV class in Carbondale, Colorado in 1992 (the forerunner of SEI). Richard and Karen Perez from Home Power were the guest instructors and I was there in a support role as the local solar business owner. We hit it off immediately (with some assistance from a 12-pack)!

Our friendship only blossomed from there. As budding solar businessmen, we collaborated on projects and over the next 25 years, we worked extremely hard and shared countless experiences and stories. We climbed peaks, we camped, we played in the snow and we partied. I have always, and will always, considered him my brother.

Levi had a work ethic like no other. In his earlier days he hiked both the Pacific Coast Trail and the Appalachian Trail (twice!). He built a reputation around a quality business without the use of a website, logos on vehicles…heck, I’m not sure he even had business cards! Everyone wanted Levi on the job because they could count on personalized service and a job well done.

Most of all, Levi built things and he fixed things. My standard description of Levi always included…”nothing scares him.” He was a Master Plumber, NABCEP Certified in PV and DHW, a self-taught mechanic and a problem solver. Levi was practical, but never shied away from a challenge. He was a risk-taker, yet laid-back as well. In short, one of the most solid people I have ever known.

It is with this in mind that I wanted to pay tribute to those that build. The awards, recognition and yes, the money, generally stay upstream. But it is literally the people in the trenches that make this whole solar thing work.

So God speed, Levi. You brought so much love, joy, laughter and passion to this world. I am a better person having known you and will forever work as hard as I can to continue your vision of a caring people and a sustainable planet.

To those interested in hard work without the hoopla, but with a passion for PV and getting the job done, I offer this scholarship opportunity. In 2021 this scholarship will be awarded to two individuals for the value of 50% tuition towards two online courses, PVOL101 and PVOL203. And to those successful in this endeavor, potential employment awaits at Sunsense Solar!

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In 2013, Johnny transitioned his role to an advising consultant and we wanted to honor him for his vision in co-founding SEI in 1991. Because of Johnny’s vision, SEI has trained over 65,000 people and has had a significant impact on the renewable energy industry. This scholarship is for one person per year, chosen personally by Johnny Weiss, who demonstrates Johnny’s commitment to making the world a better place through service. A preference is given to Native Americans or people from the developing world. This scholarship is for a full tuition course.