Have you ever wondered what Solar Energy International (SEI) is up to when summer class sessions end for the winter? Besides our ongoing schedule of online solar energy training classes, you might be surprised to learn that December is the busiest time of year for textbook sales!

Developed and written by SEI, Solar Electric Handbook: Photovoltaic Fundamentals and Applications and Fotovoltaica: Manual de Diseño e Instalación, are used in SEI’s curriculum, and by training providers throughout the world.

According to SEI’s Student Services Team, which works tirelessly to register students for classes, 87 institutions use SEI’s training materials, primarily the Solar Electric Handbook, as a text in their training courses. More specifically, the textbook is used in 29 states across the U.S., two U.S. territories (Puerto Rico and Guam), and three non-U.S. countries: Canada, Saudi Arabia, and the United Kingdom.

According to Courtney Shaffer of the SEI Student Services Team, most institutions using the textbook are technical schools or community colleges that offer associate degree programs in solar photovoltaics or renewable energy.  Some are even four-year institutions, however many bachelor’s level programs that include a focus on solar tend to delve less into the details of system design and installation, as they have more of a theoretical (less hands-on) approach.

When institutions make book orders for classes, Courtney explained that typically the bookstore manager or textbook purchasing department contacts the Student Services Team with details of the order such as the address or number of copies.  Educational institutions qualify for a bulk order discount.

The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) cites SEI’s textbook as the primary resource for preparation for the PV Associate and PV Installation Professional exams. SEI is the exclusive source for the Solar Electric Handbook, so it cannot be purchased through any other venue.

Why the popularity this time of year? The Student Services Team typically sees and influx of orders before an upcoming season of classes, in this case, students are already preparing for spring solar trainings. The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) cites SEI’s textbook as the primary resource for preparation for the PV Associate and PV Installation Professional exams. SEI is the exclusive source for the Solar Electric Handbook, so it cannot be purchased through any other venue.

The Solar Electric Handbook: Photovoltaic Fundamentals and Applications, is your one-stop-shop for solar and renewable energy basics. This textbook covers topics such as: an overview of photovoltaics and the solar industry, basics of electricity, modules, wiring in series and parallel, meters, solar site analysis, grid-direct system sizing, grounding, wiring, overcurrent protection, best practices for safe installation/commission, battery-based systems, solar business and finance, and more! SEI is currently offering an exclusive sale on both the Solar Electric Handbook and Fotovoltaica now through the end of December, get yours today!