Abril 2016

View the Full 2016 Training Schedule >>

Solar Energy International (SEI) is the industry leader in technical training for solar professionals all over the world. Enroll today and join over 45,000 students and alumni who share our vision of a world powered by renewable energy!

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Please join us! In 2016, we have ambitious and exciting plans to expand our Outreach Programs and reach more people than ever before. As always, we need your help to make this happen.

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Solar Power World Webinar:
Four Strategies Solar Installers Can
Use to Reduce Soft Costs

SEI’s Executive Director, Kathy Swartz, presented during a webinar discussing solar installation soft costs and how to reduce these costs with a highly skilled and educated workforce. Soft costs represent the most flexible aspect of solar project finance, yet they continue to consume large sums of cashup to 64% of the total project cost, according to the DOE.

Fortunately, industry innovators are finding ways to reduce soft costs. Watch this recorded webinar to learn four such strategies, including:

How solar companies can reduce financing costs through standardization and automation technology, particularly in the C&I sector.
How in-depth training reduces installation soft costs.
How creating and maintaining solar opportunities within local communities can reduce soft costs.
How solar software tools, techniques and workflows can accelerate proposal-to-project speed while shrinking costs.
Watch Recorded Webinar >>

SEI Alumni Highlight: Fred Munn

Fred Munn - SEI Alumni For Fred, training to become a solar installer was a natural extension of his career in construction. We wanted to expand to an area that is ground breaking Fred says of growing his business to include solar PV installation.

Fred and his partner chose SEI after doing their research on all of the training options available to them. They were impressed with SEIs credentials and history in the industry. Saying of his experience in the classes we put in a FULL week.. Its even more than I expected He feels confident that through his solar installation training at SEI that he will know the fundamentals of Solar PV, understand the unique aspects of many types of systems and diagnose and service any system that might come his way.

Read the full blog…

SEI Alumni Highlight: Ethan Mendel

For some, beginning a career in the solar industry is like going home. This is especially true for SEI Student Ethan Mendel. Ethan rolled up to the SEI Campus with his off-grid tiny home in tow.

Ethan Mendel

Appropriately, he was enrolled in PV 203, Fundamentals of Battery Based PV Systems. A veteran from Georgia, Ethan not only wants to learn more about battery based systems to service the system on his home, but he is also looking to begin a career in solar.

Previously, Ethan lived in Israel for 5 years before returning to the States where he worked in construction. To launch his new career, Ethan chose to begin his solar training at SEI through the recommendations of solar industry professionals hes met while working on his tiny home. About SEI, Ethan recollects that everyone Ive come into contact with in the industry has nothing but great things to say, especially if youre interested in getting started out, its a great place.

Read the full blog…

Solar Energy International (SEI) Celebrates 25th Anniversary at Solar Battle of the Bands 2016

Solar Battle of the Bands, a solar industry party and musical competition, announces its sixth annual event at the Mezzanine in San Francisco on Wednesday, July 13 at 8 pm.

Founded in 2011, Solar Battle of the Bands (SBOB) is produced by Quick Mount PV, a solar mounting manufacturer based in Walnut Creek, CA. SBOB is a unique industry event that coincides with the Intersolar North America conference. SBOB brings solar professionals together through a friendly competition of company bands.

This year, Solar Energy International (SEI) will be celebrating their 25th Anniversary in conjunction with Solar Battle of the Bands 2016. With over 45,000 students and alumni worldwide, SEI is the gold standard for training and continuing education in the solar industry. Solar Battle of the Bands is excited to help SEI celebrate this amazing milestone. A cocktail reception to honor SEI and toast their anniversary will take place from 6:30 7:30 PM at the Mezzanine, before the show begins. Must have a ticket to SBOB to attend.

More info…

Get Your Sign Ready for #MillionSolarStrong

Do you support Solar Energy? Get your signs ready for next week!

Download here >>

The adoption of solar energy in America has reached a new height of 1 million installations nationwide. This milestone is the product of American innovation and ingenuity. It is the result of consumers, policy leaders, advocates and an industry of over 200,000 workers who have all helped make the nations clean energy revolution a reality.

During the week of May 3rd, solar advocates and allies across the country will be celebrating this incredible achievement by hosting events and generating buzz on traditional and social media. Help us get the message out that solar is here to stay.

SEI Workshops are Filling Fast – Enroll Now!

If you plan on attending any of SEI’s solar training events this year – YOU BETTER ENROLL SOON! Spots are going fast for our highly attended hands-on labs, classroom courses, and online courses.

2016 Classroom Courses Schedule

May 2016
PV202: Advanced PV System Design and the NEC (Grid-Direct)
May 09 – May 13 | Paonia, Colorado

June 2016
PV101: Solar Electric Design and Installation (Grid-Direct)
June 13 – June 17 | Paonia, Colorado

PV202: Advanced PV System Design and the NEC (Grid-Direct)
June 27 – July 01 | Paonia, Colorado

July 2016
PV203: PV System Fundamentals (Battery-Based)
July 11 – July 15 | Paonia, Colorado

PV303: Advanced PV Multimode and Microgrid Design (Battery-Based)
July 25 – July 29 | Paonia, Colorado

2016 Hands-on Labs Schedule

May 2016
PV301L: Solar Electric Lab Week (Battery-Based)
May 02 – May 06 | Paonia, Colorado – ONLY A FEW SPOTS LEFT

PV351L: PV Systems Tools and Techniques for Operation and Maintenance Lab Week (Grid-Direct)
May 10 – May 12 | Pittsboro, North Carolina – ONLY A FEW SPOTS LEFT

MH101: Micro-Hydro Design & Installation
May 16 – May 20 | Paonia, Colorado

PV110: Solar Water Pumping
May 23 – May 25 | Paonia, Colorado

June 2016
PV351L: PV Systems Tools and Techniques for Operation and Maintenance Lab Week (Grid-Direct)
June 13 – June 17 | Paonia, Colorado

PV201L: Solar Electric Lab Week (Grid-Direct)
June 20 – June 24 | Paonia, Colorado

July 2016
PV301L: Solar Electric Lab Week (Battery-Based)
July 18 – July 22 | Paonia, Colorado

View the 2016 Training Schedule >>
or call SEI Student Services at 970-527-7657 x1

SEI Online Campus Sessions Start Monday,
May 16th – Enroll Today!

SEI’s Online Campus is launching another round of industry leading technical training on Monday, May 16th! Join our live instructors and students from all over the world by registering for any or all of the following online courses – click for more info:

SEI is Hiring! Solar PV Curriculum Developer

Job Description: Successful candidates for our PV Curriculum Developer position will: combine PV technical knowledge with the ability to effectively communicate these concepts to various audiences; enthusiastically participate and communicate in a team-environment while being self-directed; engage in evolving SEIs educational models; meet deadlines; and continuously strive to meet SEIs standard of quality and professionalism with our instruction.

This position is full-time (40 hours), based remotely but will involve a few weeks a year at SEIs home office and lab facility in Colorado. Salary dependent on experience. Additional benefits include health insurance, paid time-off, and a retirement package.

Applications due May 17th. Ideal start date is mid-June. For a full job description, email Faye Coats at faye@solarenergy.org. Please submit your resume, including industry-specific training, cover letter, and three references in one combined PDF to Faye Coats at faye@solarenergy.org.

SEI Announces Spring 2016 Solar Professionals Certificate Program Graduates – CONGRATS!

The following dedicated SEI Alumni have completed the solar industrys most rigorous training program. SEI has 45,000+ Alumni worldwide that have taken courses, but this select group of individuals have logged at least 200 contact training hours to complete at least one SPCP track.