Alumni Highlight: SEI provides experience to take your career to the next level

Have you thought about your New Year’s resolution yet? 2018 is the perfect time to grow your solar career. Solar Energy International (SEI)’s Solar Professionals Certificate Program (SPCP) is the industry’s most rigorous training program to prepare professionals for the highly technical clean energy workforce.

SEI offers six different SPCP tracks for students to pursue certifications in technical areas such as Residential and Commercial Photovoltaic Systems, Battery-Based Photovoltaic Systems, Solar Business and Technical Sales, International and Developing World Applications, Renewable Energy Applications, and the Solar Professionals Trainer Certificate.

SEI Alumni Joan Schmith completed the Business and Technical Sales SPCP track in 2017, and found that the experience was just what she needed to secure her current role as Branch Operations Coordinator for SunRun in Massachusetts.

“Turning sunshine into power is not just beautiful and quiet, but environmentally the way of the future.  I wanted to contribute to the growth of the industry,” Joan explained.

Her journey started as many do, with the search for trainings in solar that would fit with her already busy lifestyle. “I searched online for education in solar energy, found SEI and took the introductory course,” Joan explained. “The course was very informative, easy to use and confirmed for me that I wanted a career in solar energy.”

While completing the Solar Business and Technical Sales track, Joan joined SEI at our campus in Paonia for solar energy training in PV201L: Solar Training- Solar Electric Lab Week (Grid-Direct). The experience Joan received in SEI classes gave her the skills and expertise she needed to pass the NABCEP PV Associate Exam, for which SEI is a certified provider, which qualified her for her new position.   

“SEI allowed me to learn about solar energy on my schedule,” Joan said.

Moving forward, Joan hopes to develop her solar career even further by “gaining additional responsibility in operations and installation management.” SEI offers classes that appeal to all skill levels, from people looking to get into the solar industry, to continuing education.

It’s the perfect time to kickstart your career in solar! Learn about SEI’s solar energy training, and sign up for an online class that fits your schedule today, the next class session starts January 8!

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New job opportunities are opened for Solar Energy International (SEI) solar training program graduates

“Never stop fighting for your dreams, renewable energy is a great passion, and opportunities are given, there are companies that offer internships, you just have to go out there and look for them,” recommends with conviction Javier Pacheco, graduated from the SEI Solar Professional Certificate Program to all those who are embarking on a new solar career.

And Javier is speaking from experience. When he arrived at our PV Training Facility in Paonia, CO met our instructor Paul Ruiz, with whom he maintained contact after completing the program. Like all our instructors Paul works actively in the industry, and when the opportunity of a work internship was opened in the company for which he works, he called Javier, who accepted it gratefully.

Javier traveled three weeks to North Carolina where he installed 4 residential grid connected solar systems with Paul and his team.

“It was my first time doing an installation outside the SEI practices. The most difficult part was working with height, but the people with whom I work gave me security, I also had a harness and all the security equipment. They helped me a lot, and the door remained open for me to install other types of systems again with them,” Javier tells us.

And that was not all. Javier also had the opportunity to practice with a battery based solar system. After returning home from Paonia in California, a neighbor found out that he had graduated as a solar technician from Solar Energy International, and called him to check on her non working solar system.

Although at first Javier was afraid of the challenge of repairing the system all by himself, he told us that with all the knowledge he acquired with SEI solar training program, and with the help provided by SEI’s instructors Paul Ruiz and Pablo Hernández, and from other SEI students with experience in the solar industry, he was able to repair the system.

“Having the solar system repaired, my neighbor’s electrical bill went from $250 to $61. She was delighted and for me it was a great relief. After I saw that I was able to do it with all the knowledge I had obtained in the SEI courses, It motivated me to continue growing my career” – Javier shares very happy.

Before coming to Solar Energy International Javier did not have any experience working with solar energy, and today with new opportunities that open up, Javier wants to take all this knowledge to Mexico helping to develop the industry in his home country. And it encourages all Latin Americans to obtain world class training with SEI to collaborate with a healthy growth of the industry on the region.

For us it was a great joy talking with Javier, and learning that he continues to spread SEI’s vision of a world powered by renewable energy after graduating.

If you are interested in starting a career with SEI, sign up for our next cycle of classes starting January 8, check out our training calendar!

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SEI textbook sales spike in December, find out why

Have you ever wondered what Solar Energy International (SEI) is up to when summer class sessions end for the winter? Besides our ongoing schedule of online solar energy training classes, you might be surprised to learn that December is the busiest time of year for textbook sales!

Developed and written by SEI, Solar Electric Handbook: Photovoltaic Fundamentals and Applications and Fotovoltaica: Manual de Diseño e Instalación, are used in SEI’s curriculum, and by training providers throughout the world.

According to SEI’s Student Services Team, which works tirelessly to register students for classes, 87 institutions use SEI’s training materials, primarily the Solar Electric Handbook, as a text in their training courses. More specifically, the textbook is used in 29 states across the U.S., two U.S. territories (Puerto Rico and Guam), and three non-U.S. countries: Canada, Saudi Arabia, and the United Kingdom.

According to Courtney Shaffer of the SEI Student Services Team, most institutions using the textbook are technical schools or community colleges that offer associate degree programs in solar photovoltaics or renewable energy.  Some are even four-year institutions, however many bachelor’s level programs that include a focus on solar tend to delve less into the details of system design and installation, as they have more of a theoretical (less hands-on) approach.

When institutions make book orders for classes, Courtney explained that typically the bookstore manager or textbook purchasing department contacts the Student Services Team with details of the order such as the address or number of copies.  Educational institutions qualify for a bulk order discount.

The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) cites SEI’s textbook as the primary resource for preparation for the PV Associate and PV Installation Professional exams. SEI is the exclusive source for the Solar Electric Handbook, so it cannot be purchased through any other venue.

Why the popularity this time of year? The Student Services Team typically sees and influx of orders before an upcoming season of classes, in this case, students are already preparing for spring solar trainings. The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) cites SEI’s textbook as the primary resource for preparation for the PV Associate and PV Installation Professional exams. SEI is the exclusive source for the Solar Electric Handbook, so it cannot be purchased through any other venue.

The Solar Electric Handbook: Photovoltaic Fundamentals and Applications, is your one-stop-shop for solar and renewable energy basics. This textbook covers topics such as: an overview of photovoltaics and the solar industry, basics of electricity, modules, wiring in series and parallel, meters, solar site analysis, grid-direct system sizing, grounding, wiring, overcurrent protection, best practices for safe installation/commission, battery-based systems, solar business and finance, and more! SEI is currently offering an exclusive sale on both the Solar Electric Handbook and Fotovoltaica now through the end of December, get yours today!

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SEI’s PV101 and PV203 courses in perfect alignment with NABCEP’s updated 2018 PV Associate Program, now available in 97 countries worldwide

With a new session of solar training classes about to start online on January 8, it’s the perfect time to keep everyone up-to-date on the work being done by the Solar Energy International (SEI) Curriculum Team to ensure students are constantly getting industry-leading solar training.

In October 2017, the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) announced that for the first time, the Photovoltaic (PV) Associate Exam would be administered outside of North America. Previously only available in the United States and Canada, the test would now be available at 370 test sites in 97 countries across the world.

“SEI recognizes and greatly respects the work that NABCEP does in ensuring quality credentialing and certification programs for solar professionals. SEI has students from all over the world, so we are especially excited that the PV Associate Program is now available internationally,” Director of Curriculum & Instruction Sarah Wilder said.

During the same month, NABCEP also announced modifications to the PV Associate Job Task Analysis (JTA) for the first time since August 2016.  The JTA is a comprehensive report of industry jobs and tasks that may be available to those who are eligible for the PV Associate Exam. The new 2018 PV Associate domains are:

• PV Application (15%)
• Sales and Economics (13%)
• Design (25%)
• Installation (29%)
• Operations and Maintenance (18%)

Following this announcement, SEI’s PV Curriculum Development team took a deep dive into NABCEP’s new JTA to determine if SEI’s recommended training path, PV101 –> PV203,  covered the updated JTA and exam content. At SEI we’ve always believed that our extensive curriculum goes way beyond the test, but we wanted to be sure!

And, good news! After adding some new sales, system design, and O&M resources to the PV101 course and completing an overhaul of our PV203 course based on changes in the energy storage market, SEI is proud to announce that our recommended training pathway is in perfect alignment with the new PV Associate Program. PV Associate exams covering the updated JTA will begin in 2018, and will be now offered at over 370 testing sites in 97 countries!

Sarah explained: “Here at SEI, we are dedicated to comprehensive technical trainings that will not only prepare students to pass NABCEP exams, but do so with ease and a fundamental understanding of PV systems- from sales to system design, installation, and maintenance. Together with NABCEP, SEI is working to ensure an entire world of highly qualified renewable energy practitioners!”

PVOL101: Solar Training- Solar Electric Design and Installation (Grid-Direct) Online focuses on grid-­direct PV systems, the largest and fastest growing segment of the PV industry, but also covers material critical to understanding all types of PV systems. Topics include fundamentals in addition to site analysis, system sizing, array configuration, and performance estimation; electrical design characteristics such as wiring, overcurrent protection, and grounding; a detailed look at module and inverter specifications and characteristics; mounting methods for various roof structures and ground­-mounts; and an introduction to safely and effectively commissioning grid-­direct PV systems. This class starts January 8, and registration is still open!

PVOL203: Solar Training- PV System Fundamentals (Battery-Based) Online focuses on the fundamentals of battery-based PV. Components such as batteries, charge controllers, and battery­-based inverters are covered in detail, along with safety and maintenance considerations unique to battery­-based systems. Sign up to take this online class on January 8!

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An SEI Alum’s take on green jobs: Why Mark donated stock

Mark left his expiate job in Belgium and returned to the U.S. in pursuit of living his passion through a green job.  From Belgium to Carbondale, Colorado in 2002 he studied solar PV, solar hot water, wind, and natural building at Solar Energy International (SEI).

Fast forward to today, Mark’s passion led him to an unsuspecting place: working for a pharmaceutical company.  In his packaging role, Mark focuses on how to reduce packaging, utilize recycled materials, and eliminate waste from production to sale.  For example, he introduced corn-based insulation to ship refrigerated products, replacing the Styrofoam that was previously used!

Since his time as an SEI student, Mark has felt connected to SEI and our mission (a world powered by renewable energy!).  He has appreciated stock from his old job, and has thought about donating stock for a long time.  He said, “You hear about it all the time.  A friend explained how easy it was and that sparked my interest.  It’s cost free without a processing fee.”

As Mark dug deeper, he learned that if he sold his stock conventionally he would have to pay Capital Gains tax.  However, if he gave it away, he wouldn’t have to pay Capital Gains tax, and he would receive a deduction for the full amount of the gift.  “It’s a tax friendly way to give more to nonprofits,” Mark shared.

So how did the Kuhl family donate stock?  Mark completed a simple form for transferring stocks to charitable organizations through his brokerage firm.  All that was need for the form was the name of the organization (Solar Energy International) and his brokerage account number.   It was conducted like a wire transfer:  the brokerage firm transferred the stock from Mark’s account to SEI’s account.  No mail, no checks, you can do it all online.

You can gift your stock for good this season.  If you’re interested in donating stock, please contact our Development Director, Marla Korpar at marla@solarenergy.org or (970) 527-5041.

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Just in time for the holidays, pick up a discounted copy of SEI’s Solar Electric Handbook and Fotovoltaica!

Solar Energy International (SEI) is offering an exclusive discount on our textbooks, the Solar Electric Handbook: Photovoltaic Fundamentals and Applications and Fotovoltaica: Manual de Diseño e Instalación, for the month of December.  This holiday season, give the gift of solar energy knowledge to the budding solar professional in your life with this limited-time offer! Normally $129 for the Solar Electric Handbook, we are offering $20 off, and $10 off Fotovoltaica, which is normally $45.  Visit our online shop to order. 

Solar Electric Handbook: The Solar Electric Handbook: Photovoltaic Fundamentals and Applications, is your one-stop-shop for solar and renewable energy basics. This textbook covers topics such as: an overview of photovoltaics and the solar industry, basics of electricity, modules, wiring in series and parallel, meters, solar site analysis, grid-direct system sizing, grounding, wiring, overcurrent protection, best practices for safe installation/commission, battery-based systems, solar business and finance, and more!

Fotovoltaica: Desde el 2003, SEI ha publicado libros de texto liderando en la industria y elevando los estándares de calidad de programa de capacitación en Energías Renovables en EEUU y en el mundo entero. Nuestro Manual de Diseño e Instalación de Sistemas Fotovoltaicos, disponible en español, incluye tanto temas básicos como altamente técnicos. Esto lo hace útil para todas las personas involucradas en este mercado, desde principiantes hasta profesionales.

El libro contiene una panorámica de la electricidad fotovoltaica así como una descripción detallada de los componentes de los sistemas FV. Este también incluye capítulos dedimensionamiento de dichos sistemas FV, análisis de sitio, detalles de mantenimiento y de solución de problemas, así como datos de irradiación solar de lugares alrededor del mundo.

Make sure to get a copy before this deal expires! And if you really want to support the aspiring solar professional in your life, our PVOL101: SOLAR ELECTRIC DESIGN AND INSTALLATION online class starts January 8, and registration is still open. FVOL101: DISEÑO E INSTALACIÓN DE SISTEMAS FOTOVOLTAICOS CONECTADOS A LA RED begins on February 26. 

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SEI’s Solar in Schools grows with the help of Jared Polis Foundation Grant

As cities across the country pledge their commitment to go 100% renewable, a challenge is presented to rural communities, like Delta County, who have been historically coal-producing, to transition into adopting energy practices of the future with limited resources compared to bigger cities. Since 2015, SEI has recognized this struggle, and as a result sought out a means of economic development for its surrounding community involving a rapidly-evolving industry that happens to be our expertise: solar.

This is how the SEI high school (Solar for Schools High School Solar Career and Technical Pathway) program was born. SEI AmeriCorps VISTAs took our industry-leading solar energy training curriculum, PV101-Solar Electric Design and Installation (Grid-Direct), and adapted it to create a trade training program for local high school students in Delta County.   

Bringing internationally-renowned solar training to students in rural high schools was widely successful on multiple fronts: it provided a pathway to careers in the U.S.’s fastest-growing industry to students whose families and communities had been affected by the coal mine closures, it garnered community support for solar and awareness of renewable energy, and it piqued interest in STEM-related fields for participating students.

AmeriCorps VISTAs who oversee the SIS high school program took this success to the next level. Our latest project is an extension of our Solar in Schools high school program. In partnership with our rural electric cooperative, Delta-Montrose Electric Association (DMEA), and the Montrose and Delta County School Districts, we are installing 10kW of solar PV systems on six local high schools during 2018. Our objective is to include 200 high school students in the installation of these solar arrays at their high schools and have over 200 students a year learn about solar in their science or math classrooms. DMEA pledged $150,000 of their unused capital credits to fund this endeavor.

We are so excited to announce that now, with the help of a grant awarded to SEI by the Jared Polis Foundation, we can take our high school solar training to the next level. SEI AmeriCorps VISTA Beata Ramza, who is currently overseeing the program, explained that the hope is to host a 4-day teacher training using SEI instructors, and a future partnership with the Knowles Teacher Initiative, to host a solar and engineering training for area high school teachers, who will then start to incorporate solar, and the presence of installed panels on schools, into their lessons.  

“Our hope is that the systems will offer not just energy, but also educational opportunity,” SEI AmeriCorps VISTA Beata Ramza explained.

AmeriCorps VISTAs and the SIS program further support our belief that as the country, and the world, transitions to renewable energy, rural America has the potential lead the way. Interested in being a part of the movement? SEI is hiring a new VISTA!  

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