Partnering with Tribal energy leaders for community-based education.

In coordination with SEI’s longtime partner Red Cloud Renewables and Remote Energy, the Tribal Train the Trainer program partners with Indigenous Nations across the US, training tribal renewable energy experts to bring SEI curriculum to their communities, supporting workforce development and solar solutions in Indian Country.

In 2023, SEI partnered with the Diné nonprofit education organization Purpose Focused, offering scholarships and free curriculum licensing in support of their mission to advance a Navajo-based solar workforce deploying solar systems by and for the Diné people. Purpose Focused is developing a Continuing Education Center in coordination with Diné College, teaching SEI’s PV101 and PV203 courses. SEI also provides scholarships for tribal members to attend SEI online and in-person courses.

“I was introduced to Solar Energy International by taking part in the SEI/ Red Cloud Renewable Energy’s Tribal Train the Trainer Program. The Tribal Train the Trainer Program gave me the opportunity to meet and learn alongside other like-minded Native individuals striving to become solar educators, and to build my confidence to take and pass the NABCEP entry-level exam to earn my NABCEP Associates in Photovoltaics.

My Solar Energy International training [is supporting] my goal to continue my solar education and work towards my PV Installation Professional and Solar Heating Installer certificates to ultimately help my people, my reservation’s economy, and Unci Maka (Mother Earth).” −Cassandra Valandra | South Dakota

Thanks to REC Group LLC for sponsoring 8 Native American Scholarships in 2023!