SEI Alumnus – Jeff Spies – Proudly Announces the First “Solar Pioneer Party”

By Jeff Spies – SEI Alumnus and Sr Director Policy, Quick Mount PV

I first worked in the solar industry in the early 1980’s selling solar water heating systems as a part time job in college, but following graduation I launched my career into the field of industrial automation. While I enjoyed some aspects of my work, after 20 years I realized I lacked the passion for factory automation and decided to shift my energies back into the small but growing solar industry. My first step was signing up for the full conference pass to Solar Power 2006 (now called “Solar Power International”). I quickly learned that the BEST solar training was available through Solar Energy International (SEI). I immediately signed up for their Beginning and Advanced PV classes, and what a smart move. My first PV class was in Tucson taught by my good friend and off grid guru – Ed Eaton. My advanced PV class was taught by Kris Sutton and Jay Peltz, both legends in the industry. I truly believe my decision to get training through SEI was one of the most important keys to my early success in solar.

I started working in July 2007 as the manager of training and trade shows for AEE Solar. At the time, AEE Solar was the 2nd largest distributor and the oldest wholesale distributor in the business. Working for AEE Solar was like joining a big happy family of some of the greatest people I have ever met including its founder David Katz. Working with David felt more like hanging out with your good buddy and doing stuff, but it never felt like work. Over the next few years, I organized dozens of solar training events, several which were the largest training conferences ever held in the solar industry.

Those were good times, and they were made better by the quality of the attendees. We had a fantastic mix of committed newcomers and seasoned solar pioneers. I absolutely loved hearing the old timers share their stories how PV got its start, and how it grew in the early days. I was fortunate to make friends with many of these wonderful people, and without question they are the best friends I have ever had in my entire life. Solar events during those years felt like family reunions, as the industry was small enough that we all knew each other, and enjoyed spending time together.

After leaving AEE Solar, the industry grew quickly and solar trade shows lost that family reunion feel. I really missed being around these wonderful people from those early years and I swore I would try to get these folks back together again for a reunion party. After five years of talking and planning, I finally organized the first ever Solar Pioneers Party in October in Humboldt County, the capital of off grid America.

100-200 people are expected to attend including many of the early solar PV pioneers, AEE Solar alumni, and top solar pros from around the country. We will congregate near the site of the original AEE Solar (pictured below) for three days of fun, solar, music, and friendship. This will be the first major gathering of these early PV trailblazers in many years, and if it goes well, we might even make this an annual event.