NEWS
pv magazine: Solar jobs: 80,000 trained in the last three decades, over the next three years… double that
Solar has gone on an impressive journey, rising from a fledgling technology to a relevant part of the overall power generation mix, and the dominant technology in newly deployed projects. In 2012, about 2.7 GW of solar was reported to be active by the Energy Information Administration, and now, as of the end of 2021, 92.5 GW are installed. That’s an increase of over 3000% ...
Pivot Energy Enables Renewable Energy Careers by Supporting Solar Energy International
Pivot Energy’s reinvestment will support SEI’s ambitious goal to train 270k+ solar workers by 2025 DENVER, CO: Today, Pivot Energy is excited to announce its efforts to support education and career development in the solar sector through its partnership with Solar Energy International (SEI). Pivot’s financial support will help the internationally recognized educational nonprofit open its widely respected renewable energy training courses to more students, ...
Telluride Daily Planet: Never too young to learn about solar
It’s never too young to start learning about solar energy. On March 15, Andrea Wang, the Solar in the Schools program manager from Solar Energy International (SEI), visited Telluride Elementary to teach fourth graders about renewable sources of energy. "The goal is to bring up renewable energy literacy in schools and also get more understanding about solar electricity, talking about climate change and energy efficiency ...
Agrivoltaics: The New Frontier
By Eryka Thorley, Master in Environmental Management student and SEI Fellow “It’s now or never” is the succintest way to abbreviate the latest warning from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). If the world is going to avoid the worst of the climate crisis, climate mitigation needs to happen now and with greater impact. Specifically the world needs to reduce global carbon emissions by ...
SEI 15th Annual Instructor and Staff Training Week
This month SEI celebrated our 15th Annual Instructor and Staff Training Week. During this dedicated time, the brightest solar minds in the industry gathered to share knowledge, best practices, unique experiences, and good times! This year speakers included: Ken Gardner, SEI’s Board President presented the latest and greatest tips and tricks for installation. SEI instructor Zeke Yewdall gave a presentation focused on large off-grid ...
Solar Energy International (SEI) Now Represented by Team Members on Two National Electrical Code (NEC®) Code-Making Panels
Paonia, CO, March 28, 2022 – Solar Energy International (SEI) is proud to announce our non-profit’s selection as members of Code-Making Panel 13 of the National Electrical Code (NEC®), which covers Article 706 “Energy Storage Systems” along with several other Articles germane to battery and storage applications. SEI Instructor Karo Fernandez has joined CMP-13 as the Principal, with noted PV and storage expert Jason Fisher ...
Solar Energy International, Western join forces: Partnership to offer college-level courses in solar energy
GUNNISON, Colo. – Solar Energy International (SEI) and Western State Colorado University are proud to announce a groundbreaking partnership through the Western Extended Studies Department that will give students the ability to receive college credit for SEI's industry-recognized solar training program. Through a dual enrollment agreement, students will be able to enroll in SEI's classes offered online, in-person and as hands-on labs to receive college credit ...
Solar Energy International (SEI) Represented on the 2020 NFPA Code-Making Panel 4 for the National Electrical Code (NEC)
Nationally, SEI is directly involved with the 2020 National Electrical Code (NEC). Rebekah Hren, (Principal) and Brian Mehalic (Alternate) represent SEI on NFPA Code-Making Panel 4 for the NEC. At the First Draft meeting in January, they worked with other panel members to review and respond to hundreds of public inputs submitted for consideration as revisions to Articles 690, 691, 692, 694, 705, 710, and ...
Solar Service Projects in the Himalaya, in memory of SEI Instructor Mike Sullivan
Solar Service Projects in the Himalaya, in memory of SEI Instructor Mike Sullivan! Click here to learn more and apply: https://www.sanjuancollege.edu/learning/departments/global-studies/travel-study/india-solar-project-in-the-himalaya/ SEI is pleased to share San Juan Community College’s Solar Project in the Himalaya, from June 16-29 in the Ladakh region of northern India. The class will be limited to 12 people. Not only will participants be installing a PV system at a remote SECMOL ...
A message from SEI Executive Director Kathy Swartz–Thank you!
To Our Supporters, Friends, and Alumni, THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! We are so pleased to announce that we reached our goal of raising $120,000 to build our first international training facility in Costa Rica! We couldn’t have done it without you! The solar training facility in Costa Rica will serve people within the region, including all of Latin America and the Caribbean. The ...
Solar, in spite of the tariff, will continue to thrive and disrupt
A message from Kathy Swartz, Solar Energy International (SEI) Executive Director Dear Friends and Alumni of SEI, On Monday, January 22, the Trump Administration made a deciding call on the anticipated solar trade case, announcing a 30 percent tariff on imported solar cells and modules, to taper off by five percent over four years. While we are disappointed in this decision, this is not doom ...
Preparing for NABCEP’s three new specialty certification exams with SEI’s solar installer training courses
This month, The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) officially announced three new specialty certifications. According to the NABCEP website, the certifications were developed in partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)’s Sunshot Initiative, in an effort to reflect the demands of the solar industry. So how does Solar Energy International (SEI)’s solar installer training prepare students for these new certifications? The ...
SEI is leading two free technical seminars at Middle East Energy in Dubai
Solar Energy International (SEI) will be leading two free technical seminars at Middle East Energy running March 3-5 in Dubai. If you haven’t already registered, you can sign up for a free visitor’s pass to attend the “world’s largest power conference,” which includes power professionals from over 130 countries and over 1300 exhibitors from around the globe. In its 44th year, Middle East Energy has ...
Solar Energy International (SEI) announces Educational Partnership with Generac
Solar energy education now available to affiliated Generac installers and dealers Waukesha, Wis., January 29, 2020 — GeneracⓇ Power Systems (NYSE: GNRC) has today announced its partnership with Solar Energy International (SEI) to provide online and in-person training programs for the Company’s dealers and installers interested in expanding into the solar industry. The partnership provides incentive for Generac dealers and installers to gain professional training ...
SEI hosting workshops and training at InterSolar 2020 North America
Between February 3-6, Solar Energy International (SEI) will be attending Intersolar North America 2020. Come and immerse yourself in our vibrant, in-depth technical training workshops, along with lively conference sessions to keep you up to speed on the latest trends and tech. On February 3, SEI will be conducting two paid workshops (see below), both of which have been approved for 4 NABCEP CE hours: ...
SEI partners with Western Colorado University’s Master in Environmental Management (MEM) that integrates solar training with program courses
Are you interested in being part of the global energy transition to renewables and participating in a two-year masters’ program? Western Colorado University’s Master in Environmental Management (MEM) has partnered with Solar Energy International (SEI) to create a master in environmental management degree that integrates SEI training with MEM program courses for students interested in doing their 600+ hour second year project with SEI and providing up to 10 hours a ...
Solar Sunday – get $100 OFF Solar Training!
Illuminate the upcoming new year with reduced solar training tuition from SEI! Between December 1-2, get $100 off SEI’s online PVOL101 or FVOL101 January 13 - February 23 sessions. A great gift for yourself or another this holiday season, these classes cover the fundamentals of solar energy by presenting a solid understanding of the various components, system architectures, and applications for PV systems. No prerequisites ...
Solar Sunday is coming…
Get ready for reduced solar training tuition from SEI beginning this Sunday! Between December 1-2, get $100 off SEI’s online PVOL101 January 13 - February 23 session. A great gift for yourself or another this holiday season, this class covers the fundamentals of solar energy by presenting a solid understanding of the various components, system architectures, and applications for PV systems. This deal expires Monday, December 2nd ...
Solar Energy International (SEI) Selected by Chilean Government for Technical Solar Training
¡The President of Chile announces the program “Scholarships for Human Capital,” solar workshops for 150 Chileans, lead by SEI! Last week the President of Chile, Michelle Bachelet, announced the program “Scholarships for Human Capital,” a program that will train 150 professionals from Chile between November of 2015 and April of 2016. The program is made possible by the Corporation of Production Development (CORFO), a governmental ...
SEI Kicks Off Another Session of Solar Ready Vets Solar Training at Ft. Carson – Colorado
Congratulations to the 25 transitioning soldiers and vets who began SEI's Solar Ready Vets at Ft. Carson earlier this month. This is an intensive 5 week training program sponsored by the Department of Energy. Though this photo was shot in the classroom, over 50% of the class is hands-on. The class is being taught by Brian Mehalic and Tom Honey, who is a Navy vet. ...
SEI Volunteer Work Trader Highlight: Serendipity and Paonia, Colorado’s First EV Charging Station
by Gerald Espinosa - SEI Volunteer Work Trader I was on the way to move back to Denver, on a roadtrip from California with my dad. I had passed through Paonia last summer while camping in Crested Butte. That’s when I found out about SEI. I had just started exploring a budding passion for renewable energy back in California, and I thought, this town has ...
Solar Energy International (SEI) Launches Solarize North Fork Valley Colorado – Buy Together. Save Together.
On May 1, Solar Energy International (SEI) will be launching the Solarize North Fork Valley program, a 3 month energy efficiency and solar educational campaign in the North Fork Valley (Paonia, Hotchkiss & Crawford) running from May 1, 2015 through July 31, 2015. Check out the details on our website: https://www.solarenergy.org/solarize-north-fork/ Events: May 1, 2015 Paonia Launch Event - Western Colorado Solar Fair (Open and ...
Solar Energy International (SEI) Selected by U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) for Military Base Solar Training Program
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is piloting an intensive solar workforce training program—Reach for the Sun—to provide transitioning military personnel the highest quality professional skills to prepare them for a potential employment in the solar industry upon discharge. The DOE has partnered with Solar City, SunRun, Vivint Solar, SunEdison, and SunPower to interview and potentially hire veterans after leaving the service. Solar Energy International ...
Solar Energy International (SEI) Hosts Delta County 8th Grade Solar Technology Field Lab
SEI's Solar In the Schools (SIS) program finished its 2014 season of labs with local 8th grade students participating in an introductory solar technology lab October 21 - 24. A total of 320 students from Delta Middle, Cedaredge Middle, Hotchkiss K-8 and Paonia Jr. High arrived by school bus to explore SEI's lab facility in groups of 40 for morning and afternoon lab sessions. Boys ...
Media Queries
For general press inquiries, please contact us. Explore SEI’s Media Kit and Brand Guidelines.
Invest in a future powered by renewable energy with the Clean Energy Credit Union
Have you ever wondered how you can support the clean energy movement? Clean Energy Credit Union presents a new, exciting opportunity to join the fight against climate change, protect the environment, and invest in sustainable practices. Clean Energy Credit Union is a member-owned, member-governed financial institution with a unique twist: it is focused exclusively on loans that help people fund clean energy projects such as ...
Solar Energy International (SEI) Launches Solar Ready Colorado Training Outreach Program
Building upon Solar Energy International’s (SEI) technical solar training program that has been in operation for over 25 years with over 45,000 alumni worldwide - SEI is launching a Colorado based training and career outreach program titled - Solar Ready Colorado: Solar Professionals Training and Outreach Program. SEI will lead a team of industry partners to promote and offer SEI’s industry recognized technical solar energy ...
SEI Alumni Highlight: Emily Petrossian Completes Battery-based Solar Installation Training
Emily Petrossian (second from the left in the photo) is the newest member of a battery manufacturing company based in California. She is the latest team member to attend solar installation training at Solar Energy International (SEI), sponsored by a company who routinely send their employees to train with SEI. Her goal was simple: to understand the uses and applications of her company’s battery technology ...
Solar Energy International (SEI) Alumnus Brings Renewable Energy to Small Pacific Island in Need
With our 45,000 alumni, we get to hear about some of the coolest, life-changing projects. This one comes via Adam Hammond (class of 2013). Bluetech Financing Solutions today signed a memorandum of understanding with the Area Council leaders of a remote island in Vanuatu to deliver a solar+storage based microgrid pilot project. "Today represents an important milestone in years of hard work on the business ...
The Electric and Gas Industries Association Selects Solar Energy International (SEI) for Solar PV Training Partnership
SEI to Provide EGIA Members with best in class solar and other renewable energy training through EGIA’s Contractor Marketplace. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Paonia, Colorado - March 3, 2016 – EGIA has partnered with Solar Energy International (SEI) to offer EGIA member companies with discounted tuition from the solar industry's most respected technical training program. SEI has been training solar professionals for over 25 years and ...
SEI Spanish Hands-on Solar Installation Training Lab HUGE Success
SEI recently completed a successful FV201L hands-on workshop specifically for Spanish speakers at our training facility in Paonia, Colorado. Our second 201L Spanish lab training at SEI was a great success. Click here for more info about SEI's Programa Hispano >> We are very grateful to the instructors and students who worked throughout the week with a positive and strong spirit. We had an excellent ...