|
|
|
|
|
Featured Workshop PVOL101 Solar Electric Design and Installation (Grid-Direct) – Online Support SEI with
RDOL101: Renewable Energy for the Developing World – Online PVOL203: Solar Electric Design (Battery-Based) – Online PV301L: Solar Electric Lab Week (Battery-Based)
PV201L: Solar Electric Lab Week (Grid-Direct) MH101: Micro-Hydro PVOL202: Advanced PV System Design and the NEC (Grid-Direct) – Online PVOL101: Solar Electric Design and Installation (Grid-Direct) – Online ST101: Solar Hot Water View the Full 2013
Your Generosity SEI depends on our donors to continue our educational programs. Please join us! In 2013, we have ambitious and exciting plans to expand our Outreach Programs and reach more people than ever before. As always, we need your help to make this happen. Click here for details on Forward this newsletter
|
|
Help Make Solar Rollers for Students a Reality Solar Powered RC Race Cars for High School Teams The Solar Rollers program brings out the eco-techno-maker-learner kid in all of us – and especially so for real high schoolers. These custom-built creations are based on parts from 1/10 scale radio-controlled cars but use hand-soldered solar arrays to generate power. Happy Earth Day 2013 – Training Starts Today!
SEI Partners with GRID Alternatives to Offer
We are pleased to announce an exciting partnership with GRID Alternatives to offer real world PV installation experience for our students and alumni. After completing your initial PV101 training or during your SEI Solar Professionals Certificate Program, you will have the opportunity to volunteer with GRID Alternatives during their PV installations for low-income families in support of their non-profit mission. After establishing a strong training and volunteer record through the SEI / GRID Alternatives partnership, you may work your way up the volunteer ladder to lead a PV installation crew. This experience has NABCEP approval to earn the required NABCEP lead installer experience with some additional guidelines. More details are available by talking with an
SEI’s Financial Director – Paul Gibb
I installed a PV system on my barn in November and it wasn’t until May or June of the following year that I realized I had one of those “nice” problems in life – my system was outperforming the production estimates and now my newly installed net-meter was hovering in the range of -98,250 to -98,750, or 1,750 to 1,250 kilowatt-hours (kWh) less than zero! Our cook top is electric and the bulk of our heat is from a wood-burning stove. Not a lot of options inside the house other than converting the hot water heater to electric, which didn’t seem practical. We’re “lucky” enough to have a large yard to maintain so an electric mower didn’t seem realistic although I did replace my gas powered weed whacker with a spiffy little lithium ion model. Where else could I replace my fossil fuel burning with solar powered ac electricity? Duh, transportation! I wasn’t ready financially for the big electric car plunge but I started looking around at other battery based modes of transportation. After a fairly extensive search, I settled on the iGo ECity electric scooter. Read more about Paul Gibb’s Solar Scooter adventures… After Your SEI Solar Training in Paonia, CO. Explore Colorado’s Wild Side
Blog by Tawnya Parker – SEI Training and Workshop Coordinator Paonia is a fun mountain town, and one of Colorado’s quiet gems. Located on the Western Slope of the Rocky Mountains, it is just the way we like it, off the beaten path, abundant in fresh local organic food, wine, and beer, and full of interesting folks. And if you like to explore beautiful trails, canyons, and mountains, you are in luck. Wildlife is plentiful and if you’re cognizant of your surroundings on a hike you may see some – all one has to do is remain quiet, and the world around you will return to its natural sounds and movements. And I’ve got a list of hiking spots that will take your breath away even if you don’t see wildlife! Read Tawnya Parker’s full blog.. Must Reads for the Renewable Energy Insider
Have you read a good book lately? I might be biased, but SEI’s new Solar Electric Handbook: Photovoltaic Fundamentals and Applications is currently at the top of my list of must reads. As online course manager and occasional online instructor for SEI, I often review and interact in the course forum conversations. Often, I notice there are comments from students and instructors about books and articles they are reading. It is great fun and interesting to see what others are reading and what people recommend. Every so often, some of the recommendations overlap with what I am reading. That’s always a good feeling. Great minds think alike! Read Phil Friedman’s entire blog… SEI Sponsors Colorado Small Hydro Association Conference (COSHA)
The one-day COSHA event in 2012 drew over 200 attendees. HydroVision International Conference and Exhibition is held annually, drawing more than 3,000 attendees from more than 40 countries and more than 300 exhibitors. For more details, go to: http://smallhydro.co/ SEI Team Member Highlight – Chris Smith
She’s been working towards this for four years and had to break two boards. When you come to Paonia for your summer training, Chris will sell you books and T-shirts and spar with you, if you’d like! Congratulations Chris! |
|
Thank you for supporting Solar Energy International To all Solar Energy International supporters, SEI sends thanks! Help create a sustainable future. Please forward this e-newsletter to your friends and colleagues. |
|
Solar Energy International – 39845 Mathews Lane • Paonia, CO 81428
|