Did you know SEI is considered one of the GREENEST schools in the world?

When you come to SEI’s Paonia, Colorado training facility for your hands-on lab experience, the solar PV systems you see throughout our facility are all part of the renewable energy magic that keeps our non-profit operations going!

We have approximately 28kw of Solar PV operating here at SEI and we produce approximately 40,000 kWh per year (40MWh). We recently received a check for overproduction from our utility, Delta-Montrose Electric Association (DMEA), for $745.07 at $0.075 per kWh which is approximately 10 MWh of annual overproduction!

Our annual consumption for the entire facility is around 30,000kWh per year or 30MWh which includes SEI’s and SEI Professional Services’ (SEIPS) offices. That means we are generating 125% of our annual consumption for SEI and SEIPS combined!

This accounts for all the electricity for the facility and operations, including AC in the summer, all heating in the winter (we also have solar thermal systems operating), and all the free electric vehicles charging stations we have on campus.

We are also getting ready to add an additional 10kW of Solar PV with the new carport here on campus. So when you come to SEI and get your training on all of those hands-on lab stations throughout the facility – you can feel proud that the electricity produced is helping change the world through SEI’s non-profit educational mission!

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SEI launches Solar Forward: A new solar advising program for rural Colorado communities

This year, Solar Energy International (SEI) has launched a new statewide initiative for rural communities in Colorado. Read more about the program that powers rural Colorado communities into the future by starting or supporting solar markets: 

SEI is seeking communities interested in growing their local solar, renewable energy, and energy efficiency markets to participate in a new program, Solar Forward.  The Solar Forward program is a grassroots approach, relying mainly on community participation, to stimulate solar growth in a region. SEI’s Solar Forward community adviser will partner with a community group to provide tools and technical expertise to drive solar initiatives in the community.

Solar Forward empowers community groups who are interested in growing their solar markets, by providing them with a dedicated adviser to provide consulting on community solar initiatives.  The adviser will assist communities every step of the way in the program planning and implementation processes.

SEI is an industry-leading solar training facility, and the core of our mission is the belief in a world powered by renewable energy. With over 60,000 trained alumni and extensive technical curriculum, in addition to experience establishing all of these programs in our home base of Delta County, we want to keep this momentum growing and spread the success throughout the state of Colorado!

How it works:

Learn more or apply today on the Solar Forward webpage: https://www.solarenergy.org/solar-forward/

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Take a deep dive into battery technology and meet the lab yard’s first Lithium Ion battery

Solar Energy International recently added a brand new SMA Sunny Island AC-coupled system to it’s battery-based hands-on training in the Paonia, Colorado lab yard. Danny Bailey, SEI’s PV Lab manager weighs in on SEI’s first Lithium Ion battery:

The new Sunny Island AC coupled system is comprised of the following components: The primary battery based inverter is an SMA, Sunny Island SI4548 which has a 4500W output at 48Vdc. This is accompanied by a Grid-Direct SMA SunnyBoy4000TL-22-US that is connected to a 4KW CertainTeed, Apollo II BIPV solar shingle array.

The point of common coupling integrates SMA’s Smartformer, which is an autoformer that takes the 120V output of the Sunny Island and steps up the voltage to 240V and enables the Sunny Island to be compatible with the 240V output of the Sunny Boy. The Smartformer also contains a Bypass switch, as well as a load shedding contactor to regulate loads in the backed up loads panel. The system also has an automatic transfer switch to show students how to incorporate a generator into this system, as well as a backed up loads panel in order to run loads in the event of a grid failure.

The battery for this system has been provided by Blue Planet Energy. The battery, Blue Ion, is Lithium Iron Phosphate Li-FePo4, and is considered one of the safest lithium chemistries on the market today. The battery capacity is 16kWh and is comparable to a lead acid bank of 32kWh because of the capability of discharging this battery to 100% depth of discharge (traditional lead acids batteries are not recommended to go below 50% DoD). Not only does the Blue Ion pack high power density, but it is installed in a very sleek cabinet along with the BMS and a main overcurrent protection device, and takes up about half the space of a similar capacity lead acid battery bank.

 

On top of the previous attributes that the Blue Ion battery offers, there are no requirements for venting or fire suppression (some of the lithium options available today require specially engineered fire suppression systems due to there inherent fire danger), which is a huge benefit when trying to install these in a residence. A huge thanks goes out to Blue Planet Energy and our SEI instructor Kyle Bolger helping SEI get it’s first Lithium Ion Battery!

Come train on an emerging storage technology, Lithium Ion at SEI to stay on top of the latest trends in solar+storage technology.

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In Colorado next month: Come out to the Colorado Solar Energy Industries Association Summer Solstice (We’ll be there!)

A message from the Colorado Solar Energy Industries Association (COSEIA): “Join COSEIA and New Energy Colorado at our Summer Solstice Concert in the park! Celebrate with us with fantastic live music, food and drinks as we celebrate our successes and an industry and prepare for the future. 

Our event will be held on Wednesday June 20^th from 5:30pm-9:30pm at the Lakewood Heritage Center – 801 S Yarrow St., Lakewood, CO 80226 

Buy your ticket today: http://www.newenergycolorado.com/events “

SEI will be representing with a solar cooking demonstration, you won’t want to miss it! 

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NEW: SEI merch! Represent SEI out in the field or during your favorite summer activities

SEI has a lot in store for the busy summer class season. Seriously, check out all of the new products we’re offering in our online store and our student shop in Paonia, Colorado!

Have you ever wished you could take SEI out into the field with you after training? Now you can! SEI now has a new line of construction gear: safety glasses, vests, wind-resistant buffs, and gloves can carry you from the SEI lab yard in Paonia, Colorado to wherever your solar training takes you out in the field.

Get out and live your solar adventure with our new mountain-inspired t-shirt. Of all the t-shirts we have ever offered, this one is the closest to our hearts.  Recently we lost a dear friend and an amazing SEI Instructor, Mike Sullivan. The artwork design on this shirt was created by Mike’s daughter, Sherri Sullivan. Buying this T-Shirt will not only show that you are living your solar adventure, but you are also honoring someone who lived his life everyday living his solar adventure as well.

Continue your solar adventure with a personalized SEI camper mug with carabiner, and our new line of dog accessories. Collapsable dog bowls are perfect to bring along on summer trips, and they go great with our SEI leash!

Carry the spirit of Paonia with you as you go out and gift the world with your solar energy knowledge with our new “All Natural” shirt, that we feel really encompasses the spirit of the valley in which our office is headquartered (Paonia, Colorado).

Of course our books are always available online as well. The Solar Electric Handbook is used all over the world! Pick up your copy in the online store, or while at class in-person in Paonia, Colorado.

Visit the store: https://www.solarenergy.org/shop/

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Paradise Energy Solutions Selects Solar Energy International as Training Partner

We are excited to announce Paradise Energy Solutions, LLC has chosen Solar Energy International (SEI) as their official training partner! Through this partnership we’re offering discounts on PV and FV courses to employees at Paradise Energy Solutions, LLC. Whether you’re just starting out in the industry, or have been in solar for years, SEI’s industry-leading solar training has something for everyone.

With class topics ranging from solar basics to advanced storage topics and O&M, there are so many different ways to upgrade your solar career path with SEI. Contact SEI at sei@solarenergy.org or call 970-527-7657 option 1 for more information.

Partnership provides discounts for Paradise Energy Solutions Employees

Paradise Energy Solutions is excited to announce that we have selected Solar Energy International (SEI) as our solar training partner for employees. SEI is a nonprofit training organization which offers cutting-edge solar and renewable energy training. With over 60,000 alumni worldwide, 27 years of experience, and over 100 course sessions offered each year, SEI is an industry leader in solar training.

The partnership means that Paradise Energy Solutions’ employees will receive an agreed-upon discount on all “PV” (Photovoltaic) SEI courses through April 2019.

“At Paradise Energy Solutions, we are excited to utilize the industry-leading training opportunity offered by SEI,” said Lowell Parkes, Director of Human Resources. “SEI’s reputation of safety and professionalism are values that align with the service we strive to bring to our client base in the mid-Atlantic region.”

SEI’s 40 instructors and curriculum developers train roughly 4,000 students a year. Course credits may be applied toward industry licensing and certification programs, such as those offered by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP). SEI also offers a Solar Professional Certificate Program, awarding alumni of the program with a certificate to recognize completion of rigorous course pathways in areas such as residential solar systems, battery-based solar systems and more.

“SEI is proud to have this training partnership with Paradise Energy Solutions,” said Chris Turek, SEI director of marketing and communications. “Everyone in the industry, whether they are just beginning their solar journey, or have been working in solar for many years, can benefit from SEI training. We are excited to offer this opportunity through a partnership with Paradise Energy Solutions, and we are looking forward to future opportunities together.”

About Solar Energy International (SEI) – SEI was founded in 1991 as a nonprofit educational organization with the mission to provide industry-leading technical training and expertise in renewable energy to empower people, communities and businesses worldwide. SEI envisions a world powered by renewable energy.

About Paradise Energy Solutions – Paradise Energy Solutions is a family-owned, full service solar installation company that provides turnkey grid-tied solar installations throughout the mid-Atlantic region for businesses, farmers and homeowners. Their vision is to help people be good stewards of God’s abundant resources.

 

Media contacts:

Andy Schell

Marketing Manager

Paradise Energy Solutions

3105 Lincoln Hwy East

Paradise, PA 17562

aschell@paradiseenergysolutions.com

877-851-9269

 

Mary Marshall

Marketing and Communications Manager

Solar Energy International

39845 Mathews Lane

Paonia, CO 81428

mary@solarenergy.org

630-607-4352

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