About Us

Solar Energy International (SEI) is one of the most established renewable energy training organizations in the world. Founded in 1991 as a U.S. based educational organization, SEI has trained over 60,000 people all over the world.

We have recently established a dedicated Middle East and Africa program to better serve the needs emerging markets in the region. SEI has trained over 3,500 people from the MENA region including Integrators, PV Installers, Technical Salespeople, System Designers, PV System Developers and more.  The audience for our trainings ranges from electrical, mechanical and civil engineers, to members of academia and educators, and to distribution company employees, electricians and technicians.

Contact Us!

CONTRACT TRAININGS

SEI is able to provide private trainings at your facility on a contract basis where we will develop a custom course based on your needs and send SEI instructors to lead the classes. If you are interested in a contract training, please fill out the Contract Training Questionnaire

Once we receive your completed questionnaire, we will send you a cost proposal based on the information you’ve provided

We typically recommend contract trainings for groups of fifteen or more, but we can work to accommodate your individual needs. We are also able to host your group at SEI’s training center in Paonia, Colorado to do hands-on trainings in our hands-on PV lab.

Contract training clients in the region have included Training Clients include Shell Development Oman, Kuwait Institute of Scientific Research (KISR), Diamond Developers LLC – The Sustainable City , Kuwait Ministry of Water and Electricity, RENTECH Systems, LLC (Dubai-based PV company), and PTL Solar in cooperation with The British University in Dubai.

SOLAR TRAINING CENTERS

SEI has experience developing PV training centers for our own facilities and with partners around the world. We are currently consulting on facilities in both Costa Rica and Oman. If you would like assistance with your technical facilities we can put together a proposal based on your needs.

DESIGN AND ENGINEERING

The SEI Professional Services (SEIPS) is a solar engineering and consulting company. SEIPS offers solar PV design, consulting, and field services with decades of experience and expertise. Our team has over 550 years of combined solar and battery storage experience with residential, commercial, utility, and industrial solar energy project development. We have a passion for solar power and invite you to partner with us for your next project!

Our consulting and design services include in-house licensed electrical, civil and structural engineers and as follow-up services we offer QA inspections during construction, performance testing and commissioning services after construction. We also offer ongoing evaluation services of existing systems and troubleshooting of any kind. These services are offered across the globe in connection with the reach of the Solar Energy Energy International (SEI) network.

Visit: www.seisolarpros.com

Partners

MUSCAT, OMAN

SEI is partnering with Shams Global Solutions, a local Omani company, to provide the first certified photovoltaic training program in Oman. The Shams solar training program localizes SEI’s industry leading PV curriculum to the codes and regulations put forth by the Authority for Electricity Regulation (AER) and as well as certification guidelines standardized by the Distribution Code Review Panel (DCRP). We are currently offering the following courses in Oman:

  • PV101: Solar Electric Design and Installation (Grid-Direct)
  • PV201L: Solar Electric Lab Week (Grid-Direct)
  • PV207: PVsyst and Helioscope for PV System Production Modeling

Frequently Asked Questions

Each person that successfully completes a SEI course receives a Certificate at the end of the course. Successful completion of the course entails daily attendance and class participation and a passing score (greater than 70%) on the final exam which is administered on the last day of the class. The certificate recognizes that you’ve completed 40 hours of technical training with Solar Energy International  (SEI), an accredited U.S. based educational institution. These training hours are also recognized by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP), the most recognized and esteemed certification in the solar industry. These hours count toward the requirements to become a NABCEP Certified solar professional. SEI will maintain an official record of your courses and scores We can provide documentation of your credentials upon request to future employers, certification agencies or whomever may need a record of your certificate.

SEI is pleased to work with a myriad of companies, universities and other organizations to provide trainings throughout the Middle East and Africa. In order to reach our broadest audience, we are not looking for exclusive partners or agents at this time. However, we can work with you to put on SEI’s trainings on a contract basis or discuss other options to work together.

SEI doesn’t provide 3rd party accreditation or certification. We recognize the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) for professional certification in the solar industry. SEI offers training that qualifies people to sit for NABCEP exams. Your country or region might also have specific certification requirements.

We do have a Solar Professionals Certificate Program (SPCP) which are recommended series of courses to help professionals on their respective career paths in the solar industry. This includes a “Train the Trainers” certificate which we recommend for people who will be leading courses in renewable energy but does not make them an SEI instructor. You can learn more about the SPCP and the tracks/options available online at http://www.solarenergy.org/sei-solar-professionals-certificate-program/.

SEI is not currently licensing curriculum outside of the US or Canada.

SEI’s Impact in the MENA Region

Solar Energy International (SEI) has trained over 2,500 people from the MENA region through a combination of our online; intensive hands-on training at our campus in Colorado, USA; MENA-based conferences; satellite trainings in the UAE; and contract trainings for clients in the region.

Staff

Kris Sutton

Director of International Business Development & Instructor

Kristopher has been a full time solar PV professional since 1999. Working in multiple facets of the industry over a long career, he has maintained a singular focus of  developing a globally successful PV industry. Beginning his career as a PV system installer, he transitioned to a lead technician while eventually doing project management, site analysis, design, and customer support for an EPC contractor. He quickly realized for this industry to grow rapidly that it is critical to have a well trained workforce which instigated his transition from the roof to the classroom. Working with SEI, he has trained over 3000 people on the installation, design, and maintenance of PV systems  and is now focused on providing SEI’s industry leading technical trainings in the developing markets of the Middle East and Africa.