NEWS
Growing Solar Careers for Women: Corporate / Non-profit Partnership Builds Safe Learning Communities for Those Often Excluded from Energy Jobs
Sungrow Americas sponsors Solar Energy International’s Women’s Lab Week, providing technical skills and career opportunities for Women+ in the fast-growing industry. Paonia, CO., Aug 1, 2024 — Solar Energy International (SEI) is a leading training institution in the renewable fields; founded in 1991 to teach technical skills on what was then an emerging industry, the Colorado-based non-profit now offers world-class curriculum and certification for ...
Johnny Weiss – Celebration of Life
Johnny Weiss, co-founder of SEI, has recently been diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of Leukemia, and his remaining time is now limited. In honor of his life and achievements, we are hosting an online Zoom Party with Johnny on Sunday, August 4 at 3pm Mountain Time (2 PM Pacific, 4 PM Central, 5 PM Eastern). Johnny has personally requested that our gathering ...
Solar Training at RE+ 2024
Come join us at this year's RE+ Conference in Anaheim, CA from September 9th-12th! Our SEI team members will be there to provide insightful training sessions and share their expertise. Don't miss this chance to network with industry experts and vendors in the North American solar industry. Gain valuable insights to elevate your skills and get an exclusive preview of the newest products and ...
Senator Hickenlooper’s Visit to Solar Energy International (SEI): A Step Forward for Solar Equity and Workforce Development
On Thursday, June 27, Senator John Hickenlooper visited Solar Energy International (SEI) in Paonia, Colorado, marking a significant milestone for the solar industry and workforce development in the region. SEI, a nonprofit technical training school serving Colorado and the world since 1991, has been a beacon for solar education, training over 150,000 students and alumni worldwide. The visit underscored the importance of SEI's work and ...
New Partnership Leads the Way in Solar Workforce Development
Enstall & Solar Energy International team up to create new curriculum for entry level solar jobs and support veterans through scholarships Paonia, CO., May 8, 2024 — Enstall, a global leader in mounting and racking solutions, and Solar Energy International (SEI), a non-profit organization dedicated to solar energy education, have once again joined forces to strengthen the solar industry workforce. In March 2024, Enstall ...
Alumni Highlight: Upskilling Can Turn Dreams Into Reality
At SEI, we are privileged to train a diverse group of solar learners annually, each with varying levels of knowledge. While some students seek solar education to break into the industry, we also work with professionals already in the field who are eager to enhance their expertise. One such learner is Thomas Nielson, a Utah resident with a background in physics, who has spent his ...
Alumni Highlight: Max Hupertz, United Renewable Energy LLC
At Solar Energy International (SEI) we are thankful for and enjoy getting feedback from alumni, often informing us what they are up to as they move forward with their careers in the field. Max Hupertz, a recent graduate of SEI, is currently employed by United Renewable Energy LLC, where he is managing the construction of utility scale solar fields (ground-mount). He loves his job, saying ...
SEI Staff Stories: Roger Williams reflects on journey from SEI student to instructing PV201L
Check out this guest post written by SEI Instructor and PV Curriculum Developer Roger Williams: I quietly began my solar career (no, adventure!) in 2002, about 6 months after September 11th, 2001. That incident opened my eyes to a larger world - one in which we are all connected. Personally, I thought our reliance on oil was at least partially to blame, and I vowed ...
Solar Energy Trade Shows, LLC (SETS) Selects Solar Energy International (SEI) as Exclusive Conference Training Provider
Alexandria, VA (October 1, 2019) – Solar Energy Trade Shows, LLC (SETS), the team behind SPI, ESI, and North America Smart Energy Week, announced a new expanded partnership with Solar Energy International (SEI) to implement installer training content across select events within the Solar Power Events portfolio. As the solar industry is expanding, so too are the job opportunities. With solar installer jobs not only ...
Solar Energy International (SEI) awarded grant from the Western Colorado Community Foundation for sustainability upgrades on campus
The $5k prize will go toward a greener educational experience at SEI’s Paonia headquarters Paonia, CO– Solar Energy International (SEI) was chosen as a recipient of Western Colorado Community Foundation (WCCF)’s 2019 Environment grant, and the $5,000 will be put toward “reduce, reuse and recycle” efforts in their Paonia-based industry-leading lab yard. SEI is one of the longest running and most widely recognized technical solar ...
SEI Alumni in the Field: Commercial PV Installer for Namaste Solar
Ben Vandervliet first found out about Solar Energy International (SEI) classes from his brother who was a part of the SEI Solar Ready Vets program, and now he’s a full-time commercial PV installer with Namaste Solar based out of Fort Collins, Colorado. SEI can help launch your career in the solar industry, too! Ben shared details with us on how SEI classes helped him secure ...
Native Americans Embrace the Sun
A New Way to Honor the Old Ways Pine Ridge, South Dakota (August 15, 2019) - Red Cloud Renewable (RCR) and Solar Energy International (SEI) are pleased to announce selection of the first class of Native Americans to receive a full scholarship as part of the professional level Tribal Train the Trainer (T4) Program for Solar Certification. Seven Native Americans, four men and three women ...
Register for the 2024 NABCEP CE Conference
Will we be seeing you at this year's NABCEP conference? The advanced-level content presented at the annual NABCEP CE Conference is geared toward PV industry professionals who have experience with PV installation, solar + storage, technical sales, design, O&M, or system inspection. This is the only industry event that allows NABCEP Board Certified Professionals to obtain as many as 20.5 hours of continuing education ...
SEI is Providing Solar Training at RE+ 2023
Join us at this year's RE+ Conference in Las Vegas, NV from September 11th-14th! Many of SEI's talented team members will be in attendance, delivering impactful training sessions and sharing their expertise. This is a unique opportunity to connect with top-notch professionals and vendors in the North American solar industry. You'll gain valuable insights that will take you to the next level, and get ...
SEI Joins Forces with Amicus O&M Cooperative for 1.5 Million Grant Project
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) Fiscal Year 2022 Advancing Equity Through Workforce Partnerships has created a $13.5 million funding program for the development of collaborative workforce programs. The program facilitates the rapid deployment of solar energy technologies while supporting an inclusive workforce. This work, partly funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, will enable more members of disadvantaged communities and ...
Solar in the Schools Provides Solar Training to Students in Montana
In the spring of 2023, NorthWestern Energy and Solar Energy International - Solar In the Schools (SEI-SIS) continued piloting a solar energy training pathway program for high school students in Montana. SEI-SIS provided two immersive one day solar energy training sessions for technical education students at Helena High School and Capital High School in Helena, Montana. ...
SolarReviews’ Solar Industry Survey Results Now Available
SolarReviews’ Solar Industry Survey results are in and they're packed with exciting insights! With over 450 participants from across the industry, the survey, in partnership with NABCEP, reveals trends and expectations for 2023. The report highlights the top preferred solar brands, barriers to solar industry success, how the industry plans to adapt to the Inflation Reduction Act, and much more. Don't miss out on this ...
Hands-on Lab Students Now Get Exposure to Cutting-edge Battery Equipment
It's no secret that the solar industry has seen a shift towards residential energy storage systems due to grid reliability issues and evolving net metering policies. SEI is staying on top of it all by ensuring that the latest technology is in our curriculum and on our campus. We are excited to announce that we have added a 10kWh Enphase ...
Utah Solar Career Training Program Scholarship Launched by Solar Energy International (SEI) and AES
AES, a global energy company accelerating the future of energy and a leading developer of utility-scale solar generation, recently partnered with Solar Energy International (SEI), a leading solar training educational non-profit, to provide solar workforce development services in Utah. SEI's training program prepares people for a career in the clean energy sector with a focus on solar photovoltaic (electrical) technologies. With over 30 years of ...
Volunteers Sought to Expand National Effort Promoting Congregational PV Systems
Interfaith Power and Light (IPL) is seeking a small team of volunteers to expand its support to houses of worship who are considering installing a solar PV system. To date, over 1200 congregations in the United States have installed PV systems, but this is just a small fraction of those interested. Be a part of engaging faith communities towards environmental stewardship and climate action! ...
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 ...
Utah Business: AES launches solar scholarship for Utah residents
Utah — AES, a global energy company accelerating the future of energy and a leading developer of utility-scale solar generation, has collaborated with Solar Energy International (SEI), a leading solar training educational non-profit, announcing today their new partnership to provide solar workforce development services in Utah. The partnership includes two elements: a scholarship fund for individuals, and consulting services for colleges and universities. Both aspects aim to ...
SEI Announces Solar Workforce Training Program for Utah Residents
AES to provide scholarships to support the initiative Paonia, Colo., February 10, 2022 — AES, a global energy company accelerating the future of energy and a leading developer of utility-scale solar generation, has collaborated with Solar Energy International (SEI), a leading solar training educational non-profit, announcing today their new partnership to provide solar workforce development services in Utah. The partnership includes two elements: a scholarship ...
Nextracker Launches Half the Sun, A Global Solar Scholarship for Women
In partnership with Solar Energy International (SEI), Nextracker initiates 3-year scholarship program to foster female participation in solar industry FREMONT, CALIF. USA, August 18, 2021 — Nextracker™, the market leader in yield-enhancing PV system technology and solar trackers, and Solar Energy International (SEI), the world’s leading renewable energy technical training provider, today announced their partnership ...
SEI endeavors to advance inclusivity among renewable energy workforce with new PRIDE Scholarship
In June, SEI announced the formation of a new scholarship fund aimed to advance inclusivity within our organization and the renewable energy field as a whole. After revisiting SEI’s core values to Educate, Engage and Empower, we are striving to find new ways to create equitable systems within the structure and mission of our operations, including a dedication to evolve in how we work and ...
Solar Energy Education Continues to Advance Workforce through renewal of BayWa r.e. Scholarship Fund
Paonia, CO, August 9, 2021 – Solar Energy International (SEI) and BayWa r.e. announced today the continuation of their partnership to provide scholarship funds, re-upping their commitment to award another $10,000 in solar training tuition fees to SEI students. The BayWa r.e. Scholarship Fund will once again contribute 100% of tuition fees to future solar professionals hand-selected through SEI’s program, with a focus on supporting ...
Solar Energy International (SEI) Names New Executive Director
We are pleased to announce that Elizabeth Sanderson has been named Executive Director of Solar Energy International (SEI), the Colorado-based, industry-leading, internationally recognized, not-for-profit educational organization. Elizabeth joins SEI with an impressive history of leadership and experience that will be leveraged to take our non-profit educational mission of a world powered by renewable energy to the next level. With credentials including COO and Director of ...
New scholarship fund offers solar energy education opportunities for Spanish Speaking U.S. Residents
$20,000 Scholarship Aims to Increase Latino Representation Among Clean Energy Industry; Create Equitable Professional Development Opportunities Within Solar Businesses Paonia, Colo., June 7, 2021. Solar Energy International (SEI) and SolarReviews announced today their partnership to create a scholarship fund that provides financial assistance for U.S. residents with Spanish as their first language seeking solar energy education through SEI. The scholarship aims to increase hispanic representation among the ...
SEI and New Energy Equity announces the creation of the Lift as We Climb Foundation
ANNAPOLIS, MD, April 6, 2021- New Energy Equity LLC, a solar developer and financier based in Annapolis, MD, announces the creation and funding of its Lift as We Climb Foundation. The Foundation was started by New Energy Equity employees as part of a 2020 initiative called Operation Shared Success, supporting New Energy’s core purpose of “Leaving behind a better world”. Each year, New Energy Equity ...
It’s not just about training women…
The solar industry is on the brink of an amazing transformation - but a question still remains: how do we cultivate diverse talent so solar might realize its full potential? SEI has set out to answer that very question by considering how we provide meaningful training opportunities to those who face barriers to entry, women in particular. It's no secret that the solar sector is ...
SEI offering technical training at the 2023 NABCEP CE Conference
The NABCEP 2023 CE Conference is a unique event that is created by solar professionals for solar professionals and is intended to provide an affordable continuing education option for professionals who are interested in gaining the skills and knowledge to stay ahead of their competition. Earn up to 22.5 hours of Continuing Education Units (CEUs) to recertify your NABCEP Board Certification or 18 hours ...
SEI is hosting multiple technical training seminars at RE+
Many of SEI’s team members will be attending and teaching at this year’s RE+ Conference (former SPI)! Join us in Anaheim between September 19-22, where you can connect with North American solar industry professionals and vendors as they share the latest insights impacting your business and showcase the newest products and services in the industry. RE+ gives you access to an attendee-base that represents over ...
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 ...
Join the Solar Ready Vets Network for a virtual hiring fair
Solar Ready Vets Network is proud to offer a virtual solar hiring fair to connect service members and veterans with careers in the rapidly growing solar industry. The event will focus on positions in craft, skilled trade and technical roles, such as: installation, electrical, operations and maintenance, technical sales, and more. Participating employers range from major national solar companies to regional companies, and the event ...
Media Queries
For general press inquiries, please contact us. Explore SEI’s Media Kit and Brand Guidelines.
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% ...
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 ...
Utah Business: AES launches solar scholarship for Utah residents
Utah — AES, a global energy company accelerating the future of energy and a leading developer of utility-scale solar generation, has collaborated with Solar Energy International (SEI), a leading solar training educational non-profit, announcing today their new partnership to provide solar workforce development services in Utah. The partnership includes two elements: a scholarship fund for individuals, and consulting services for colleges and universities. Both aspects aim to ...
AltEnergyMag: Solar Forward to Assist Eagle County with Community Effort in Solarize Campaign
Solar Energy International (SEI)'s outreach program, Solar Forward anticipates a successful Eagle County program in 2022 after learning about the community's goals and broad stakeholder support. Eagle County, like many mountain towns, is seeking thoughtful solutions to mitigating their carbon footprint and is now making a holistic solar campaign, like Solar Forward, a part of that conversation. Solar Forward will help Eagle County promote ...
SEI’s Latin America Business Development Director shares in a discussion on Building the Workforce of the Future
How can we build the robust, resilient workforce necessary for a regenerative future? Matthew Harris, SEI’s Latin America Business Development Director, shares in a discussion on Building the Workforce of the Future. Play the video above to learn how SEI is approaching the demand for solar workers, if we are on track with estimates, and what can be done to diversify the solar ...
Highlighting Diversity; The Words and Stories We Choose – Kelsey Misbrener
Kelsey Misbrener is senior editor at Solar Power World magazine, the premier media outlet for the U.S. solar market. She gets excited about all things solar policy and also enjoys covering the inverter and software beats for SPW. She has a degree in magazine journalism from Kent State University and is passionate about renewable energy and the environment. In her free time, she ...
SEI supporting EWB solar project to improve water system in orphanage and boarding school Wema Centre in Kenya
Karo Fernandez, SEI Curriculum Developer and Technical Instructor, traveled to the Wema Children's Centre in Bukembe, Kenya volunteering for Engineers Without Borders Chicagoland Professional Chapter to support improvement efforts for the electrical and water pumping systems. This included solar site assessment and power calculations to shift the existing electrical water pump, currently not operating due to grid failure, to a solar powered system. Additionally, she assessed the ...
SEI Will be the Leading Training Organization at Solar Power Mexico 2019
Solar Energy International (SEI) will be offering a total of 6 solar energy workshops during Solar Power Mexico 2019. The event will take place at the Citibanamex Center, Mexico City, Mexico from March,19-21. Solar Power Mexico is organized by three of the leading trade show companies in the world: Deutsche Messe, SNEC PV Power Expo, and Solar Power International (SPI) have joined forces to help ...
Solar Energy International (SEI) opens its first International Solar Training Center in Costa Rica
With this facility SEI seeks to accelerate and expand access to solar training to Spanish speakers throughout Latin America CARTAGO, COSTA RICA- Solar Energy International (SEI), an industry leader in solar energy technical training, opened its first International Solar Training Center in Costa Rica through a partnership with CFIA (Federated College of Engineers and Architects of Costa Rica) and CIEMI (College of Electrical, Mechanical and ...
A day unlike any other in SEI solar history
April 23 was a historic day for Solar Energy International (SEI). We inaugurated our first international Solar Training Center in Costa Rica. Since we started our Spanish Program in 2013, SEI has trained more than +13000 Spanish speakers. This new training center gives us the possibility to expand SEI's world-class solar training to more Spanish-speaking professionals. SEI seeks to empower more people with solar education ...
SEI provided a solar installer training workshop for the Solar Energy Education Program of Costa Rica Chamber of Industries
The Chamber of Industries of Costa Rica invited Solar Energy International (SEI) to provide a workshop on PV Design in its educational program "Solar Energy for Efficient Electric Generation." This program offers knowledge for the use and optimization of the application of solar energy including the implementation and maintenance primarily in the industrial and commercial sector. This specialization has been developed in partnership with the 4E Program of ...
SEI is looking for bilingual instructors for our Spanish Solar Installer Training Program!
Solar Energy International (SEI) is a 501(c)3 non-profit education organization with a mission to provide industry-leading technical training and expertise in renewable energy to empower people, communities and businesses worldwide. Founded in 1991, SEI has trained more than 60,000 people from around the world. As an organization, we are committed to offering the highest quality, unbiased renewable energy training that we can. We are a group of people ...
ASES Conference: Continual Learning about an Inexhaustible Resource
The theme of the 2022 American Solar Energy Society (ASES) annual conference was “Energy Transition with Economic Justice”. Three poets and a philosopher helped kick-off the opening reception; Beata Tsosie, Hakim Bellamy, and Jimmy Santiago Baca welcomed the assembly to their homeland, Albuquerque, New Mexico and interrogated the premise of equitable conversations in a majority white, privileged audience. Poet Baca did not let the ...
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 ...
Solar Non-profits Join Forces to Help a Rural Colorado County
Solar Energy International’s Solar Forward program collaborates with Solar United Neighbors to bring more energy options to San Miguel County TELLURIDE, CO- There are two nonprofit solar group buy-in programs in Colorado, Solar Forward and Solar United Neighbors (SUN), and when San Miguel County wanted to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and spur economic development, they reached out to both organizations. “San Miguel County has a ...
Solar Forward to Assist Eagle County with Community Effort in Solarize Campaign
Eagle County’s Walking Mountains Science Center became Solar Forward’s latest community partner, backed by strong stakeholder involvement and holistic goals EAGLE COUNTY, CO- Solar Energy International (SEI)’s outreach program, Solar Forward anticipates a successful Eagle County program in 2022 after learning about the community’s goals and broad stakeholder support. Eagle County, like many mountain towns, is seeking thoughtful solutions to mitigating their carbon footprint and ...
This university’s two year master’s program incorporates SEI solar training into its curriculum and offers $10k in fellowship funds
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 ...
Solar Forward Welcomes Graduate Fellow, Eryka Thorley
Master in Environmental Management student Eryka Thorley joins the Solar Forward team to help create a network for solar education and outreach Paonia, CO - When Solar Forward first began a partnership with Western Colorado University (WCU) of Gunnison, CO in 2018, it could not have predicted the quality and experience that the Solar Forward Fellows would bring to developing the program. Over the past ...
The Shining Women of SEI
In celebration of Women's Day this month, we highlight the amazing women that make SEI shine everyday by expressing, through our own words, how these women inspire us everyday on the job. Amanda is eternally positive and helpful, with a knack for musical wordplay. Willing to go above and beyond to solve challenges, to help others. Amanda is the glue that keeps us ...
SolarReviews: “Now is the time” to pursue training in solar energy
SolarReviews interviews two SEI students on how they have transformed their professional careers while contributing to a more sustainable future. They share their experiences in the program and how it helped them become experts in solar energy. If you are interested in a career in renewable energy, don't miss out on this inspiring interview! Click here to read article.
Solar Power World: Solar and storage industry players launch equitable workforce training program
A new nationwide, equitable workforce training program has officially launched, called Building Equity in Solar Training (BEST). The program will provide skills-based training and certifications needed for a successful career in solar, energy storage and EV charging. Click here to read full article.
Working Safe in Solar: Your Tools Matter – Get 15% Off Fluke Tools
Working in solar can be both exciting and rewarding, but risks can loom large. While SEI strives to equip you with safety-minded education, the tools you use in the field play a vital role in your safety as well. To better protect yourself while working in potentially hazardous environments, SEI is proudly partnering with Fluke to offer you 15% OFF their industry-leading ...
Grist: Solar power’s continued success rests on diversifying its workforce
Meeting projected demand will require a far larger pool of installers and technicians. Employing women and people of color is the industry's best chance to achieve that. I’ve been working in the solar industry across three continents for nearly 20 years. I’ve been a part of community installations, and I’ve supported women in the remote Indian islands of Sundarbans as they’ve expanded their solar charging ...
Solar Energy International (SEI) Achieves Bronze Certification for Advancements on DEIJ Issues
Paonia, CO, September 29, 2022 — Today Solar Energy International (SEI) announced it has achieved Bronze certification through the Diversity Equity Inclusion and Justice (DEIJ) Certification Program from the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA). Earning this certification demonstrates SEI’s commitment to creating a more inclusive and diverse workplace and culture in the solar industry. “We are dedicated to creating an equitable workplace, inclusive learning environment, ...