PV Growth in the US
A recent report titled “US Photovoltaic Market Analysis” reports that the US PV industry registered phenomenal growth in 2009 despite the recession. It also states that the industry is expected to add around 0.87 G W of annual PV installations in 2010. To meet the growing demand, SEI is offering PV workshops in more locations than ever before. Check out the PV101 workshops below:
PV101: Solar Electric Fundamentals and Grid-Direct Design
September 13 – 17, Fayetteville , AR
October 11 -16, G uemes Island , WA
October 18 – 22, Ontario , Canada
November 8 – 12, Boulder , CO
November 15 – 19, Bordentown , NJ
Many upcoming dates online!
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Renewables in the Developing World – G et Hands-on Experience!
A PV-powered school in Nicaragua
If you are interested in learning how renewable energy can make a difference in people’s lives in the developing world, SEI has some exciting opportunities coming up this winter.
Participate in hands-on learning in a small Nicaraguan village, Sabana G rande, which has taken up the challenge of becoming a solar culture community. Install a solar electric system, build solar battery chargers, and solar cookers, and live with families who can show you the benefits of and obstacles to using solar energy in their community. Or visit the Atlantic Coast of Nicaragua to learn about blueEnergy’s approach to sustainable development. Participate in building a wind turbine and get hands-on experience with a system in a rural community.
Or head to Costa Rica where you can learn to design and install photovoltaic systems for the developing world. Held at Rancho Mastatal, an environmental learning center, most of the time will be spent in the field, getting our hands dirty, and learning by doing.
Sustainable Community Development: Renewable Energy for Rural Villages
December 1- 9, Nicaragua
Sustainable Community Development: Wind Power for Rural Communities
December 12 – 20, Nicaragua
Solar Electricity for the Developing World
January 1 – 9, Costa Rica
Check out an interview with Mathias Craig, Executive Director of blueEnergy G roup, to learn more about their exciting work. And don’t miss out on these incredible opportunities!
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Sustainable Building and Developing World Projects – Learn Online!
Renewable energy is one of the most important tools we have to combat a changing climate. In order for us to make the most out of sun, wind, and micro-hydro power, we must start by making every home and building energy efficient. This can happen with smart design in new construction, smart consumer choices of energy efficient technologies and systems, and the know-how to build new and retrofit existing structures.
Renewable energy technologies are also one solution to many of the problems that people in the developing world face, in education, health care, agriculture, and micro-enterprise. Implementing renewable energy projects in the developing world, in a sustainable way, can make a huge difference in, and even save, lives.
Learn about both of these above topics through SEI’s Online Learning Campus.
Building for the Future Online
September 27 – November 7
Renewable Energy for the Developing World Online
September 6 – October 17
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Will We Find the “Black Swan” of Clean Energy?
photo courtesy RenewableEnergyWorld
This is a unique time in history for energy inventors and entrepreneurs. As the need for clean, scalable sources of energy becomes more important, investors are looking for unique “Black Swan” technologies that could revolutionize the sector. The trouble is, they’re not exactly easy to find (or create).
The clean energy sector is full of people making claims about “groundbreaking” and “revolutionary” technologies that will change entire industries. Many of those claims come from people who don’t recognize or understand the difficulties in achieving meaningful scale in energy. Some of them come from people who are being intentionally misleading. But there are thousands of smart, well-intentioned inventors out there developing all kinds of new technologies. Listen to theRenewableEnergyWorld podcast where you will meet inventors who are riding the new wave of innovation and trying to bring their early-stage technologies to scale.
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SEI at Solar Power International 2010
In conjunction with North America’s largest business-to-business solar event – Solar Power International 2010 taking place Oct. 12-14 in Los Angeles – Solar Energy International is hosting a one-day solar installation course.
Intermediate Level PV System Installation on Oct. 11 will focus on National Electrical Code (NEC) requirements, best practices, and safe working procedures for installing and troubleshooting solar systems. Click here to register for this course or visit http://bit.ly/akOLoi. Members of the Solar Electric Power Association (SEPA) or Solar Energy Industries Association(national SEIA only), nonprofit organizations or government employees are eligible for the discounted member rate of $300. The nonmember workshop rate is $350. Register early, as space is limited.
Also, stop by SEI’s booth #1331 during Solar Power International 2010 to say hi!
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Featured Alum – Corey Shalanski
Corey Shalanski taught high school science in New York City prior to arriving at SEI in 2008 as a work-trader for the Solar in the Schools outreach program. Although he never actually drove the Solar School bus, Corey’s alter ego “SolarMan” was known to swoop down on local schools and give classroom presentations.
Corey was a Peace Corps volunteer in Jamaica from 2001-03; he has returned to the island frequently and continues to use his knowledge gained in SEI workshops to develop small-scale solar and natural building projects. Currently, Corey is a field engineer for Alternative Energy Concepts, a design/build firm in Fayetteville , North Carolina , that specializes in residential and commercial energy solutions. He is a NABCEP Certified Solar PV & Solar Thermal Installer and leads training workshops for Fayetteville Technical Community College .
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Upcoming Events
Solar Fiesta 2010
September 11 – 12 – Albuquerque , NM
Workshops and exhibitions about renewable energy and sustainable living.
www.nmsea.org
Southwest Renewable Energy Conference
Sept. 14 – 16, 2010 – Santa Fe , NM
Evaluation and discussion of renewable energy development on tribal, federal, state and private lands
www.swrec.org
Solar Thermal ’10
Sept 30th – Oct. 1st, 2010 – Milwaukee , WI
A National Solar Heating and Cooling Conference and Expo for the solar thermal professional.
https://selectra.co.uk/energy/guides/market/midwest-renewable-energy-association
Biogas USA 2010
October 13 – 14, 2010 – San Francisco , CA
Leaders of the US biogas industry will examine how to develop commercially successful biogas projects and address the latest technological advances in production.
www.greenpowerconferences.com/biogasusa