SEI Alumni Highlight: Noel Wichman – Veteran

Solar Energy International (SEI) is proud to welcome Noel Wichman into SEI’s alumni network. Noel has the distinction of being the first student to utilize his Veterans Benefits to enroll in classes at SEI. Living just 10 miles away from SEI’s Campus in Paonia, CO, Noel’s drive to SEI was short but his journey to solar training was long. Noel’s interest been interested in the solar industry for two decades but only recently began solar installation training.

The impetus of SEI accepting Veterans Benefits for in-person classroom and hands-on lab training through SEI’s Solar Professionals Certificate Program (SPCP) was a marked turning point in his journey. Previously, Noel spent 13 years as active duty in the U.S. Air Force before working for a mining company in Colorado. Now, however, the time was ripe for a career transition. “I’ve always had a great interest in solar and it seems like the time is right for the whole industry…For better or for worse, solar is becoming more prominent in the energy industry and meeting the energy needs of the world.”

He chose to come to SEI to begin his career because of their longstanding reputation as a solar training provider and their commitment to hands-on education. “I’ve known about SEI for many, many years and the changes in the solar industry since I was first interested, which is almost 20 years ago, to now have been leaps and bounds. I need to be up to speed. From a practical perspective, hands-on experience with instructors who that have book knowledge and hands-on experience in the field, how can you beat that?”

And utilizing his Veterans Benefits was easier than expected. Speaking of his experience, Noel recounted that ““all I had to do to enroll using my GI bill funding at SEI was to give them my VA paperwork, saying how much I was approved for, 100% in my case, and everything else they did. We had a phone call for the courses and when I’d like to start and then it was hands off” In fact, though Noel was the first student to enroll using Veterans Benefits, there were several more who followed suit in his class alone.

For the other veterans and active duty military personnel looking forward in their careers? Noel highly recommended SEI’s solar installer training because of the straightforward enrollment process and engaging learning environment. When asked if he thought their was a place in the solar industry for members of the military Noel says: “I think there’s a lot of changes in the military in terms of environmental concerns where solar training would be very conducive to a future career in the military still, let alone afterwards. No question.”

And for anyone else starting a new career, Noel “would recommend  any kind of hands-on training to get your start in any industry, especially the solar industry. Nothing beats experience. Book learning is great. Hands-on is better.”

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Solar Energy International (SEI) Launches Solar Ready Colorado Training Outreach Program

Building upon Solar Energy International’s (SEI) technical solar training program that has been in operation for over 25 years with over 45,000 alumni worldwide – SEI is launching a Colorado based training and career outreach program titled – ​Solar Ready Colorado: Solar Professionals Training and Outreach Program​.

SEI will lead a team of industry partners to promote and offer SEI’s industry recognized technical solar energy training program and provide needed recruitment and career counseling services to key industries and workforce populations in the State of Colorado.

SEI will build upon current and past industry partnerships that include leading industry associations and the largest employers in the solar industry. These efforts will ensure Colorado’s talent pipeline will stay strong and be a national model for preparing our state’s workforce for the changing landscape of energy production and distribution. Solar Ready Colorado partner organizations include: Grid Alternatives | Colorado Office, SunRun, Colorado Solar Energy Industries Association (COSEIA), and the Delta County, Colorado Public School System.

Since 1991, SEI has trained over 1000 Coloradans, but there is more work to be done to ensure a highly skilled workforce ready to take on the increasing amount of solar installations being integrated year after year.  The Solar Ready Colorado initiative is focused campaign to expand SEI’s efforts in the activities of outreach and recruiting by providing dedicated staffing and outreach efforts to the Colorado specific market. As a national and global training provider, this program which is part of a matching grant program through the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment’s WORK Act Grant is empowering SEI to focus efforts in our home state of Colorado. Watch overview video of the SEI’s training experience >>

SEI’s current and historical training and outreach efforts over the last 25 years has resulted in growing the largest alumni network of people from all 50 states and more than 160 countries. With this is mind, we can do more for our home state of Colorado by targeting candidates within our own state’s boundaries to increase the number of individuals who enroll in and complete SEI’s skilled worker training program to prepare them for careers in the renewable energy sector. In 2015 alone, SEI trained 170 Coloradans and have trained over 1000 people from our home state since 1991. With a dedicated statewide effort – we can train so many more!

By creating a more targeted focus of outreach and training within Colorado, SEI will be able to increase the number of Coloradoans who can fill the predicted skilled workforce shortage in Colorado specifically in the solar industry. In a recent 2015 solar jobs report, Colorado ranks in the top 10 nationally for solar jobs with almost 5000 employed in the sector growing exponentially (over 173% growth in the last 10 years) as compared to other energy sectors like coal mining activities. Colorado is attracting large solar PV investors and projects into our state and it is crucial for Colorado to have a trained and skilled workforce to take on these projects vs. skilled labor human resources being brought in from other states.

View Training Schedule >>

Coloradoans need to be aware of the solar industry and the growth of career opportunities in this sector. Furthermore, they need to understand how to access the training and certification needed to become active participants in this industry. In addition to providing the industry’s most respected technical training, a targeted informational campaign will be deployed to help connect people with transferable skills into SEI’s training program and connect them with our program employer partners. This will be accomplished by working with the Colorado Department of Labor and industry partners who have agreed to be active members of this program.

SEI’s training and outreach program will ensure an employment pipeline within Colorado to not only prepare adult skilled workers with transferable skills, but also youth. This program will target graduating High School students through SEI’s Solar in the Schools Outreach Career and Technical Education program to prepare them for the solar energy workforce and the growing renewable energy economy in Colorado.

The solar industry plays a huge role in leveraging workers from Colorado’s key industries. From Energy & Natural Resources, Infrastructure Engineering, Technology & Information, and Electronics – the solar industry draws upon all of these areas to successfully deploy residential, commercial, and utility scale solar PV installations across the state.

The SEI Solar Professionals Certificate Program is a rigorous multi-course / multi-track technical training program to help ensure the success of our students and provide a highly skilled workforce for the solar industry. This program provides the most comprehensive technical training in the solar industry with paths to graduation and earning the following SEI Professional Certificates: Residential and Commercial Photovoltaic Systems Certificate – Battery-Based Photovoltaic Systems Certificate – Solar Business and Technical Sales Certificate – and the Renewable Energy Applications Certificate. Multiple Certificates can be earned by adding courses to an original Certificate Path.

View Training Schedule >>

Educational hours earned from SEI’s training is approved for NABCEP Certification and Continuing Education, which is the most recognized certification in the industry. Employer partnerships through this grant will also strengthen the feedback loop between industry and SEI as the training provider to determine current, future, and critical solar industry workforce needs.

An individual Record of Completion with earned training hours will be issued at the end of each successfully completed individual training course. Once the participant completes the full multi-course program of training with SEI (completing at least 200 training hours), the SEI Solar Professionals Certificate will be awarded to the graduate to indicate the chosen track of study, area of emphasis, and total training hours earned. This SEI Solar Professionals Certificate Program is recognized, certified, and governed by the Colorado Department of Higher Education’s Division of Occupational Schools.

For more information about SEI’s Solar Ready Colorado initiative, contact:
Christopher Turek, Director of Marketing and Alumni Relations, Solar Energy International (SEI) – chris@solarenergy.org or by calling 970-527-7657 x115

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Solar Energy International (SEI) Welcomes New Board Member – Jon Miller

SEI’s board of directors is a talented group of volunteers who keep SEI’s mission and vision at the forefront of everything we do. Largely made up of Western Colorado residents, SEI’s board members have varied backgrounds: a pioneer of Sustainable and Responsible Investing,  a developer of coal mine methane power plants, a publisher of the West’s premier public lands and natural resources magazine (High Country News), an elected director of our local rural electric co-op that recently changed the PV landscape for co-ops by achieving a landmark FERC ruling, an expert in non-profits, the president of one of the very few locally-owned banks in Colorado, a leader in the grass-fed beef movement, and a Director of Renewables for one of the nation’s largest contractor associations.

SEI is pleased to welcome Jon Miller to this group. He is a 2009 SEI alum who has climbed around on rooftops installing PV and then rose in the industry until today he  has consulted, structured, and underwrote $2 billion of solar and wind projects for some of the nation’s largest developers and institutional investors. Jon has had an impressive journey in the solar industry since his start as a work-trader at SEI. We are pleased to welcome him to the SEI board!

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Having a Case of the Mondays? It is Our Favorite Day of the Week Here at Solar Energy International (SEI)!

by Jessica Finnigan, SEI Workshop Coordinator

Having a “case of the Mondays” looks very different here at SEI than it does in the classic “Office Space” movie. Mondays are by far my favorite day of the week.  Almost every Monday, from April through October, upwards of 32 students descend onto our campus for their solar training. We ask students to briefly introduce themselves by answering two questions: Where are you from and why are you here?  Their answers surprise, inspire, and motivate me.

We’ve meet graduating high school seniors looking to start their work experience in the solar industry to retirees looking to end their work experience in this industry. We’ve meet coal miners and oil and gas workers looking to transfer their skills from one energy industry to a cleaner, renewable energy industry. We’ve meet engineers, architects, software developers, electricians, bartenders, bankers, teachers, river guides, and the list goes on.  Each week I am amazed by the diversity of experience and passion they bring to this industry.

Kris Sutton, SEI’s Lab Facility Manager, and as we call him “Cruise ship/Social Director,” always begins introductions by joking to throw something if anyone brings up politics.  But the beauty of solar energy is that it attracts all kinds of people from all kinds of places.  From the north, south, east, and west parts of our country, blue states and red states, from the developed world and the developing world, land-locked countries to isolated islands, the sun shines on us all and has the power to energize all these places.

Sustainable energy takes on new meaning, because by 10am, my “case of the Mondays” has re-energized me for the week ahead. I have a smile on my face and a bounce in my step…. or maybe that bounce is just from all the coffee that Office Manager, Chris Smith “Smitty” has prepared for everyone in the classroom!

– Jessica Finnigan, SEI Workshop Coordinator

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Solar Energy International’s (SEI) Spanish Program Completes Solar Installer Training Lab Week

Solar Energy International’s Programa Hispano  (Spanish Program) welcomed thirteen students from all over Latin America to SEI’s solar training facility in Paonia, Colorado. The students came to SEI to attend “FV201L: Laboratorio Fotovoltaico de Sistemas Conectados a la Red- Práctico or Grid-Direct Photovoltaic Systems Laboratory. The class was taught entirely in Spanish by SEI instructors Brad Burkhartzmeyer and Chris Brooks, and assisted by the Spanish Program’s three newest instructors in training! The weeklong lab emphasized hands-on solar installation training in a lab setting, exposing students to an array of systems they’re likely to encounter in the field.

The Spanish Program was founded in 2013 with the purpose of establishing SEI as a leading renewable energy training provider in Spanish speaking countries, with a focus in Latin America. Since 2013 over 2,000 Spanish speakers have participated in solar installation trainings through the efforts of the program. During this time the Spanish Program has also provided contract trainings in collaboration with governments, solar companies and EPC’s throughout Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico, Chile, and Equatorial Guinea.

The Spanish Program has a dedicated team of instructors and program developers who are working on creating and providing the highest quality curriculum and training experience available for Spanish speakers. The Spanish program builds on Solar Energy International’s mission to to provide industry-leading technical training and expertise in renewable energy to empower people, communities, and businesses worldwide. Since the program’s inception, it has been extraordinarily effective in bringing SEI’s legacy of providing high quality solar installation training throughout Latin America.

To learn more about the program offerings for 2016 or for what SEI can offer in your country visit us online at www.solarenergy.org/programa-hispano/ or email Paulina Dunham at paulina@solarenergy.org.

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Why Rural America Needs Local Energy Solutions

The future of energy in Rural America is unfolding right in our backyard. Last summer our local utility servicing Solar Energy International’s headquarters in Paonia, Colorado, Delta-Montrose Electric Association (DMEA), won a favorable ruling before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). This decision recognizes DMEA’s right to step outside of their existing 40-year power contract with wholesale power provider Tri-State, to court and develop cost-effective local energy solutions.  

Well, the ruling created a national buzz and its fallout is still to be determined, it’s important for us as residents of Western Colorado and member-owners of DMEA to understand, what does this ruling mean for us?

To begin, it’s important to first recount the history of the nation’s 900 something rural electric cooperatives. President Roosevelt recognized any reemergence from the Great Depression required the inclusion of America’s farmland, and tasked cooperatives with electrifying Rural America. FDR signed the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 at a time when 9 out of 10 farms were without power (Source: NRECA). Of the 7 guiding principles all rural cooperatives abide by, concern for the community’s health and resilience is the summation.

As part of its longstanding service to the communities of Delta and Montrose and amid the region’s continued economic struggles, DMEA’s leadership on local energy is indicative of the very reason rural cooperatives were first created: to not only power Rural America, but act as a stakeholder of our community’s well-being and economic prosperity.

So What Does Local Energy mean for the Community we call home?

Just last month, Oxbow’s mine silo was demolished, symbolic of the decline of the North Fork’s coalmines, once the county’ best-paying employer. These losses not only devastate coalminers we call neighbors, but county schools, township budgets and downtown businesses that depend on their livelihoods. Such fallout has only increased the necessity for the community to diversify the local economy, in an effort to retain businesses and area youth leaving to study, work and live elsewhere. But as efforts spearheaded by Delta County Economic Development (DCED) show, the region is ripe with opportunities that can strengthen our local economy.

Alongside such initiatives as broadband, agri-tourism, and recreation, access to and adoption of local energy presents an opportunity for us as a community to envision what our shared future could look like, one where we build our self-sufficiency and advance healthy communities. As it currently stands, more than 7 cents of every 10 cents per kWh residential rate customers pay DMEA, leaves the service area. What could it look like if each electron we made locally meant one less we had to import? What would it look like if a portion of the roughly $40 million dollars a year leaving DMEA and its members were to stay in Delta-Montrose counties?

It could mean more projects like the South Canal Hydroelectric Project, first commissioned by DMEA and Uncompahgre Valley Water Users Association (UVWUA) in 2013, which the co-op estimate saves its members some $2 million dollars a year, compared to existing wholesale rates (and those continue to go up). As Tri-States rates rise, the savings for DMEA and its members only grows.

It could mean biomass generation plants, like the one in Gypsum using beetle-killed pine, or venting methane from coal mines, like that from Elk Creek Mine powering Holy Cross Utility. It could mean capturing solar in the adobes and hydro falling from the mountains. Local energy means local control, predictable energy rates and jobs.

Our Role

As we at Solar Energy International celebrate our 25th anniversary, we are presented with an opportunity to reflect on our mission to empower businesses, people and communities worldwide through renewable energy education, and how this has taken shape. Our family has grown to include 50,000 alumni equipped with SEI’s industry-leading technical training and renewable energy expertise, working around the world to build renewable energy infrastructure and a sustainable future. The leaps the solar industry has made is ever apparent to us at SEI. Now, each year some 5,000 students come to SEI both online and at our lab yard in Paonia to enter one of the fastest growing industries in the world, that of harvesting the sun’s power.

This realization, coupled with the decline of coal mines where we are headquartered, pressed SEI as an organization to imagine, how could we extend the benefits of solar with our neighbors? Thus our outreach efforts “Economic Revitalization through Solar” began in 2014. We launched the first campaign, Solarize North Fork Valley (May-July 2015) to strengthen our energy-producing community through solar, with a second and expanded effort, Solarize Delta County currently underway (April 2016-July 2016). The mission of Solarize is to create an increased awareness and demand for solar adoption that in turn will serve to bolster a long-term market for solar.

The first round resulted in 23 residential installs, $400,000 of local investments made in clean energy, 120kW of total installed solar, and six new jobs with the local installers we partnered with. This is huge, and only the beginning. Which is why Delta County Economic Development (DCED) approached SEI to expand solarize to all of Delta County, in an effort to increase the affordability and accessibility of local energy solutions.

As we enter the final month and a half of our enrollment program at Solarize Delta County, what excites us the most is talking with more of our neighbors about what a vision of local energy production could mean for our community? What could it look like if area youth could find gainful employment here instead of leaving for the city? What could it look like for the many skilled workers in Delta County and beyond, willing and able to lend their services to these projects? What could predictable energy rates mean for a family with fixed income? What would these savings, amplified over tens of thousands of members mean for our farmers, businesses and towns? Now, imagine what the secondary benefits could look like for our community? We believe we are still an energy producing valley, we are just one in transition.

Solarize Delta County is starting that conversation. Despite the many differences in the community, and even differences among solar adopters, we all seek to live in healthy, vibrant communities. We choose to live here, not because it’s easy, but because it’s worth it. And together as a community, we are resilient and resolved. Local energy won’t turn the area’s economy around on its own, but it’s part of the solution and part of our identity as resourceful residents of Delta County.

 

For more information or to participate:

 

Go to: http://ift.tt/1XyA5iZ

Google: Solarize Delta County

Facebook: “like” Solarize Delta County

Call: Gerald or Marla at (970) 527-7657 ext. 213

 

Go Solar. Simply. Together. Solarize Delta County!
DEADLINE TO REGISTER JULY 15th

 

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The Thompson’s Solar Story

Kathy and Greg Thompson stand proudly in front of the ground mounted PV Array, one of the 23 installations completed as a part of Solarize North Fork Valley in the Spring and Summer of 2015. The Thompsons were like many others curious of solar and how it might benefit them. They’ve been interested in photovoltaic (PV) technology since the 70s, first seeing it in homes since solar’s earliest iterations and then becoming increasingly common in recent years. Speaking of why they finally chose to install a solar array on their property, Greg said “the program last year drove us to finally pull the plug and go solar. We needed a kick in the pants and Solarize did it.”

The first round, Solarize North Fork Valley (Solarize Delta County in 2016), made the process of “going solar” more accessible and more affordable. Greg and Kathy heard about the program through coverage on KVNF, the community-owned radio station, and knew it was the time. They already knew they were good candidates for solar but the free Remote Site Assessment (upon program registration) and conversations with the Installer, Empowered Energy Systems, confirmed it.

The house is all electric and utilizes geothermal technology for temperature modulation. As the home was being constructed, the home’s builder even recommended considering solar. After their install was completed in 2015, their property is now a renewable energy power plant consisting of a 6.4 kW system comprised of a 24 panel array. According to Greg, sunny days have never felt better.

“Our electric bills are all but gone. It feels good. On a sunny day, you know you’re making power for you and your neighbors.” For Greg and Kathy, it was never a question of IF to go solar, but WHEN. Greg had watched the price of panels drop for years. “I felt in the little bit I knew regarding PV manufacturing, it seemed that the price [of panels] had hit a plateau” says Greg. “We captured the majority of the decrease in price and now we’re capturing the savings.”

Greg and Kathy are more than satisfied with the system and its performance.  The ground mounted system has added maintenance benefit of being easier to care for in the case of heavy winter snowfall. In most instances though for roof-mounted systems, a Spring rain is more than enough to clean off dirt and pollen. The system comes with a long handled scraper so in the winter Greg can squeegee them.

All in all, we have another Solarize success story. The Thompsons now join the over 320 DMEA net-metered customers and 10 City of Delta Utility customers producing their own energy with the local resource of Western Colorado sunshine.

Go Solar. Simply. Together. Solarize Delta County!
DEADLINE TO REGISTER JULY 15th

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Solarize Delta County nears Halfway Mark! 55 Homes and Businesses Registered so Far!

Educational events for June Announced

Installers from Empowered Energy Systems, LLC of Hotchkiss just finished the first installation in a series of new solar PV systems springing up around Delta County. A brand new 25 kW commercial system now sits atop workspace solutions ProSpace’s roof in Delta. The system is sized to produce some 35,000 kWh/year of energy. To put that into perspective, that’s equivalent to offsetting 60,000 miles of emissions by an average passenger vehicle or the carbon sequestered by 23.2 acres of local forest, each year!

The federal tax credit of 30%, combined with annual deductions for commercial clients

(Modified Accelerated Cost-Recovery System), made the investment a “no-brainer” said ProSpace Interiors, and Delta County Economic Development (DCED), INC Vice President Tom Huerkamp. The added incentive of Solarize tiered rebates only sweetened the deal. “It just makes economic sense to do this” Huerkamp continued “and then there is the community reason to do it.”

Solarize Delta County is a nonprofit outreach program sponsored by Solar Energy International in partnership with DCED, to increase the accessibility and affordability of solar energy for all Delta County residents. Solarize Delta County seeks to raise awareness of solar, lower the cost of solar electric (PV) systems, and significantly ramp up adoption of PV throughout Delta County.

More energy produced locally means more money that stays in the community, and with it the potential for job creation. The program is an expansion of the 2015 Solarize North Fork Valley effort that resulted in over $400,000 of local investment in solar and installation of 23 residential systems, totaling 120kW. The local installers hired six new employees to handle the demand.

Whether the motivation is energy independence, reducing carbon footprint, or plain economic sense, more residents in Delta County are flipping the switch to produce their own affordable, solar energy, thanks to Solarize Delta County. Solarize Delta County is nearing the halfway point of a 3 month outreach program, with 55 homes and businesses currently registered for a free remote site assessment, to learn more about going solar. The program offers a tiered rebate system that increases savings as more  neighbors sign contracts to install PV systems. Already the program is a fourth of the way to its first rebate level of 100kW of total contracted solar, where participants will receive an additional $400 off per system.

Interested residents can register by July 15th to participate and receive a free remote site assessment, to learn about their solar options and assist with identifying financing options. Solarize Delta County is hosting outreach and social events to educate and guide potential solar candidates through a streamlined assessment and installation process. All events are FREE and neighbors are encouraged to attend to learn more about going solar, the Solarize way:

• June 8th- “Reduce then Produce” Energy Efficiency event with DMEA- Cedaredge Library, 6-7:30 PM
• June 13th- Solar Cocktail Hour / Meet the Installers, Old Mad Dog Cafe-Crawford, 5 – 7PM
• June 14th- “Reduce then Produce” Energy Efficiency event with DMEA- Hotchkiss Memorial Hall attached to the Hotchkiss Library, 6-7:30 PM
• June 18th- Solar & Wine Tour of Mesa Winds Farm & Winery and Alfred Eames Cellars, with guided van leaving Solar Energy International at 1:00. Welcome to drive separately.
• June 20th- Screening of “Catching the Sun” at Paradise Theater
• June 21st- Hotchkiss Chamber “Business After Hours” at Hotchkiss Fire Station. Meet the Installers and learn about the Fire Station’s PV Solar System! 5:30-7:00 PM

 

For more information or to participate: 

• Go to: http://ift.tt/1XKhEWO county/
• Google: Solarize Delta County
• Facebook: “like” Solarize Delta County
• Call: Gerald or Marla at (970) 527-7657 ext. 213

Go Solar. Simply. Together. Solarize Delta County!

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North Fork Solar Fair Draws Record Crowd

Community Turns Out to Learn & Act for Local Solutions

PAONIA CO – Since soon after the earliest settlers moved into Colorado’s North Fork Valley it has relied on two major forces to drive its economy: energy and agriculture. This year the North Fork Solar Fair & Permaculture Expo built on that proud heritage with a fun, dynamic, and hugely popular event. Nearly 300 people participated, a threefold increase from its 2015 debut. The record crowd turned out to learn about and participate in this year’s theme: Cultivate Community & Homegrown Energy.

The North Fork is home to Solar Energy International (SEI), which hosted the event at its Paonia headquarters and campus, and was one of three sponsoring organizations. SEI is the world’s leading training institute for solar energy and alternative power systems—and is currently leading a collaborative local project to “Solarize Delta County.”

“Solar Energy International is honored to host this annual fair and expo,” said Gerald Espinosa, event organizer, and coordinator for Solarize Delta County. “We are bringing solar energy not only to communities around the world, but generating more of it right here in Delta County and the Western Slope. The Solar Fair is a chance to highlight and build from that work.”  

Colorado’s North Fork Valley is an area in transition still firmly rooted in its small-town, rural past. Home to orchards since the first white residents in the 1880s and a coalmining community since soon thereafter, change has often come slowly to the area. Or all at once as commodity markets stumble. The most recent downturn has idled local mines, and spurred discussion about ways to have a robust economy, engage the future, honor the area’s roots, and protect the character of a cherished place.

Expanded significantly from last year’s, the event this year highlighted the great work being done regionally to transition toward cleaner power supplies and also featured workshops and exhibits on permaculture and biodynamics. These were facilitated by The Learning Council, the second sponsoring partner – and included offerings for kids and adults.  

“We greatly enjoyed bringing new learning opportunities to this year’s Solar Fair,” said Alicia Michelsen of The Learning Council. “A strong community can weather change just fine, and coming together to share skills and celebrate each other is how we build strength.”

The 2016 Solar Fair & Permaculture Expo included food vendors, local drink, and over 15 exhibitors—including solar companies, the area’s electric cooperative, nonprofit organizations, and several local businesses.

Vendors, partners and exhibitors donated over two dozen prizes that were given away during the event. Musical acts included the Blue Sage Exploratory Chorus and the Solar Brothers. URSA! URSA! an effort comprised of musicians from the bands Grizzly Pears and Free the Honey closed the evening. All agreed after the success of this year’s event: The Solar Fair in 2017 will be even better!

“This year we all experienced the homegrown energy we can cultivate through community coming together,” said Pete Kolbenschlag a lead organizer of the event, and board member of the Colorado Farm & Food Alliance, the third sponsoring partner. “Big B’s Juices and Ciders and Revolution Brewing, along with the door prize donors, workshop leaders, exhibitors, and our great musicians all deserve a special measure of gratitude.”

The 2016 Solar Fair was sponsored in partnership by three area no-nprofit organizations. The sponsoring partners each brought a unique mission to their role in the event, showing that shared effort can come together in a way that can find opportunity in even the toughest challenges.

“On behalf of the Colorado Farm & Food Alliance, Solar Energy International, and The Learning Council we want to thank all who attended and made this year’s event so successful,” Kolbenschlag concluded as a shared statement from the sponsoring groups.

Solar Energy International (www.solarenergy.org) provides industry-leading training and expertise in renewable energy to empower people, communities, and businesses worldwide. The Colorado Farm & Food Alliance (http://ift.tt/1oPQ2C1) connects people from farm-to-table by engaging local the farm and food movement in climate and conservation action. The Learning Council (http://ift.tt/1Y05UzD) is a community organization providing educational options that celebrate the Arts and Agriculture.

Written by: Pete Kolbenschlag of Colorado Farm and Food Alliance

 

# # #

Photos of the 2016 Solar Fair and Permaculture Expo are available by calling Pete Kolbenschlag at 970-261-0678 or via email at Pete@MountainWestStrategies.com.

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SEI Alumni Highlight: Emily Petrossian Completes Battery-based Solar Installation Training

Emily Petrossian (second from the left in the photo) is the newest member of a battery manufacturing company based in California. She is the latest team member to attend solar installation training at Solar Energy International (SEI), sponsored by a company who routinely send their employees to train with SEI. Her goal was simple: to understand the uses and applications of her company’s battery technology in the solar field. Emily was well versed in batteries, providing technical support to customers. However, she wanted grow her knowledge as more people asked sought answers about the batteries in their solar electric systems. So, her employer enrolled in her in SEI’s courses and she arrived in Paonia, Colorado to complete the hands-on PV301L: Solar Electric Lab Week (Battery-Based). In fact, the SEI Battery Lab Class was her first hands on solar experience.

In her week at the SEI Campus in Paonia, CO, Emily and her fellow classmates worked with a wide range of battery-­based PV system components and architectures. Supervised by instructors who live and breathe battery-­based PV, small groups of students installed, tested, and commissioned numerous PV systems with energy storage capability. Emily, who was on the other side of the process, implemented her technical knowledge of batteries in a real world setting, side by side with classmates who are becoming certified solar installers or looking to use the class to install stand alone and multimode systems for their homes or businesses.

Emily says of her experience “ I have a newfound respect for the installers out in the field…there’s lots of hard labor and lots of knowledge.” Luckily, Emily is equipped with much more of that knowledge to take back to California to better serve her customers. She feels her solar installation training “was extremely beneficial” and will help her grow her career. She will however miss the small town vibe and relaxed pace of Paonia. However, there’s always a chance to SEI’s training campus because, as Emily can attest, there’s always more ways to use batteries, and consequently, always more to learn..

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SEI Alumni Highlight: Daniel Gisonda – Solar Installer Training Dreams Come True!

Solar installer training with Solar Energy International (SEI) was a dream come true for Daniel Gisonda for whom solar had been a lifelong pursuit. As a child, Daniel was frequently found exploring with Discovery Zone solar kits and to this day spends his free time tinkering with small solar projects such as converting a conventional refrigerator to run off of solar charged batteries. And now, after completing his service in the Coast Guard, these small projects grew into a larger plan for Daniel and his wife to build an off-grid home in Alaska.

Armed with big plans and a search engine, Daniel found SEI during his online searches to pursue his Solar Training quest. He enrolled in a series of classes that would take him through the basics of solar electric systems to more advanced knowledge on the configuration of battery based systems; also enrolling in Micro Hydro and Solar Hot Water Pumping courses to keep his options open. Though his solar training was supposed to be in the pursuit of building an off-grid home, it quickly became about building a career.

Getting Bit by the Solar Installer Training Bug

It was clear from his first solar installer training class that Daniel had caught the solar bug, adding additional courses to his repertoire every time he was supposed to take his leave of SEI. Furthermore, it was obvious that simply doing solar as a hobby was not going to cut it. He knew right away that the pursuit of solar knowledge became the pursuit of a career. Thanks to the network of SEI instructors all over the world, Daniel was able to network with existing companies in Alaska and will likely have work awaiting him once he finishes his new home.

The solar connections didn’t stop there. When Daniel sought a new career in solar after leaving the military, he saw that this could be a viable path for his fellow servicemen and women. In fact, he’s already spread the word that “SEI is the place for solar training..everyone I know is a hands-on person and this is a hands-on place.” And for those vets looking to follow in Daniel’s footsteps, SEI In-person Classroom and Hands-on Labs are now approved for Veterans Education Benefits!

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SEI Alumni Highlight: Stephanie Gulliver – Solar Installation Training for Electrical Engineers!

Stephanie Gulliver (second from the right in photo) is an Electrical Engineer from San Francisco, CA. She is returning to SEI for her second class in solar electric systems and solar installation training. This Spring she enrolled in PV 202: Advanced PV System Design and the NEC (Grid Direct) with the purpose of pursuing professional solar installer training to remain at the forefront of her field.

Solar Installation Training – Reaching New Heights (Literally)

As an Electrical Engineer, this means staying on top of the constantly changing National Electrical Code (NEC), especially as it concerns solar electric systems. In San Francisco, Stephanie’s company does design work for new buildings so she “applies the NEC a lot in my job…and the standards keep evolving.” Stephanie says it is important for her to better understand the implications of the NEC standards when it comes to solar because it is being used in more and more buildings. In addition, her education with SEI and this course in particular helped her understand how the NEC applies to the design and electrical systems for the entire building. She added “it’s a great real-world addition to the classes I took in university.”

The class also literally helped her stay at the top of her field, by allowing her to climb Mt. Lamborn which towers 11,936 ft. above SEI’s Paonia, CO training facility. Of her time in Paonia, Stephanie says “I Love it! It’s the perfect place to have this type of course, you (SEI) have both nature and renewables.” Though Stephanie found Solar Energy International online, it was definitely the mountainous location and easy access to State and National Parks that sold it. And she has really taken advantage of her time in the West Elk Mountains and all of the hiking that comes with it.

So, between her time spent in the classroom and her time spent outdoors, would she recommend SEI to her friends? Before she had even completed the course, she’s emailed four of her colleagues with the link to sign up. And we’re guessing that email included some great pictures from the summit of Mt. Lamborn.

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SolarWorld Americas Selects Solar Energy International (SEI) as Training Partner

SolarWorld Americas Inc., America’s largest manufacturer of crystalline silicon solar cells and photovoltaic modules, has selected industry-recognized non-profit renewable energy training school Solar Energy International (SEI) as a solar installer training partner.

This partnership will provide professional development for SolarWorld’s rapidly growing solar installer network. solar installation training opportunities are available for installers just entering the field, all the way up to seasoned veterans seeking advanced technical knowledge.

“At SolarWorld, we understand that choosing a high-quality PV module is only the first step towards a high-quality installation. As the solar industry and our installer network continue to grow at a rapid pace, comprehensive design and installation training is more important than ever. Partnering with SEI gives our installers the opportunity to be industry leaders in installation quality,” said Sarah Wilder, SolarWorld’s Manager of Product Training.

Building off of SolarWorld’s product-specific trainings, SEI courses allow SolarWorld installers to take their knowledge and their careers to the next level. Through Solar Energy International’s (SEI) Online Campus, busy SolarWorld installers can take SEI online courses anywhere and anytime. These instructor-led 6-week courses are some of the most rigorous and highly-technical trainings found in the solar industry. Discounts are available for SolarWorld Authorized Installers and Accelerated Partners. For discount codes and more information, contact the SolarWorld training team at trainingusa@solarworld.com.

“SEI is proud to have been selected by SolarWorld as a training partner.   For years, SolarWorld has been a dedicated supporter of our non-profit mission through equipment donations and charitable support.  This new partnership takes this connection to the next level and galvanizes the dedication of both of our organizations working towards a highly skilled clean energy workforce.   We look forward to providing our technical training to SolarWorld’s installer network and we welcome their team to our growing network of 45,000 students and alumni worldwide,” said Kathy Swartz, SEI’s Executive Director.

About SolarWorld’s Partner Programs

SolarWorld Authorized Installers (AIs) are a select group of manufacturer-approved, higher-volume SolarWorld installers who maintain a record of outstanding business practices and installation quality. Benefits include:

• AI logo and branding
• Eligibility for co-branded marketing and cooperative marketing funds
• Sales leads
• Access to finance programs
• System proposal and design support
• 1^st tier training discounts

Eligibility requirements include 1 year in solar, minimum 100kW/year installed, a phone interview, and an annual quality inspection audit.

The SolarWorld Accelerated Partnership Program is designed to support companies who are new to solar or looking to grow their business through a partnership with SolarWorld. Benefits include:

• Fast track to the Authorized Installer Program
• Eligible for retroactive co-op credits
• System proposal and design support
• 2^nd tier training discounts

Eligibility requirements include 6 months in solar and a minimum 25kW/year installed.

To learn more about SolarWorld partner programs and to register in the SolarWorld Partner Portal, please visit http://ift.tt/1NQ3Doo.

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Solar Energy International (SEI) Receives Approval for Veterans Education Funding

Solar Energy International (SEI) is pleased to offer comprehensive Veterans Educational Funding and outreach programs for veterans and active duty military personnel. We proudly offer educational opportunities and benefits to military members, their families, and veterans who have honorably served.

SEI is now authorized to offer eligible veterans the ability to use their education benefits towards our in-person classroom and hands-on lab training through SEI’s Solar Professionals Certificate Program (SPCP).

This education funding approval is part of SEI’s broader expansion of their Active Duty Military and Veterans Outreach Program.  As an organization, SEI believes in the opportunities that renewable energy can afford our country, such as energy independence and sustainable use of our country’s natural resources.  With that in mind, we also honor those who have served our country and who are choosing to follow up their military service with a new kind of service;  service in the renewable energy sector.

Eligibility Requirements

Many benefits are available to advance the education and skills of Veterans. Some might find they’re eligible for more than one benefit or that one program is more suited to certain education and training goals than another.

Learn about these and other education and training programs administered by the VA or start your VA Education Benefits application now:

• Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) – Chapter 30
• Veterans Educational Assistance Program (VEAP) – Chapter 32
• Dependents Educational Assistance (DEA) – Chapter 35
• Montgomery GI Bill – Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR) – Chapter 1606
• Reserves Educational Assistance Program (REAP) – Chapter 1607
• Post-9/11 GI Bill – Chapter 33

In order to use the various federal educational program funding, veterans must verify their Education Benefits eligibility through the various federal recognized programs by contacting their VA Education Counselor. When you first speak with your SEI Veterans Counselor to enroll in your courses, make sure to indicate that you have verified your eligibility.

SPCP Program Application

All interested veterans will also need to apply for SEI Solar Professionals Certificate Program acceptance and meet our selection criteria to help ensure their successful program completion. Be sure to click that you are a veteran or active duty military member when filling out the SEI Solar Professionals Certificate Program Application.

The two SPCP tracks that are eligible for this funding are the Residential and Commercial Photovoltaic Systems Certificate and / or the Battery-based Photovoltaic Systems Certificate.  Please remember: all training must be completed in-person at our Colorado training facility to be able to use your Veterans Educational Benefits.

In addition to this program expansion, SEI was selected last year as the lead training provider during the pilot program for the Department of Energy’s Sunshot Initiative Solar Ready Vets program.  SEI continues to support Solar Ready Vets as an advising and training partner to the program.

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The Brett’s Solar Story

Solar Ambassador Elaine Brett (middle with cap) opens up her house to a “Solar Home Tour” as part of a Solarize educational event. The Brett’s 3.36 kW grid-tied PV system meets all their electrical needs. Being grid-tied allows the Bretts to take advantage of DMEA’s generous net-metering policy, which credits customers for the excess energy their systems produce. Picture shows the solar hot water system on their garage. The solar photovoltaic system is roof mounted on the adjoining house.

Elaine and Jim Brett just finished their inaugural year as Solar PV customers, in their net zero home. Their solar panels sit atop of their also recently completed home, on the outskirts of Paonia. Elaine said of her experience “in deciding to build a new house, we wanted to incorporate energy efficient designs and materials and we wanted to minimize the use of fossil fuels. It was the perfect opportunity to install PV solar and solar hot water panels. It’s a little different way of living than what we were used to, but we are enjoying the benefits.”

The Brett’s 3.36 kW grid-tied system was completed by Solarize Delta County partner installer, Empowered Energy Systems of Hotchkiss. This is smaller than the national average size of 6kW due to the fact that their sustainably-designed, moderately-sized home requires less energy than a typical home. Still, they have managed to produce all of the energy they’ve consumed this year! A feat shared by many other solar customers all over Delta County.

Jim and Elaine are pleased by how easy solar was to integrate into the building process and even more impressed by how low (or no!)  maintenance the system has been. Often times all you might need is a good spring rain to wash them off!

In general, the most interaction they have with the system is using its remote monitoring technology. Available on a computer or via a smartphone app, at any moment the Brett’s can instantly see how much energy their system is generating, view their net energy usage for the month, and much more (besides being a fun, interactive tool to show curious neighbors!).

The Brett’s show off their new PV system! Optional system monitoring is a great way to keep track of your PV system production and operation. With a real time web based interface, system monitoring allows homeowners to view daily energy production as it happens or go back to review historical production results. Each monitoring system has a secure portal for customer login and privacy.

Looking back on just the first year of a 25+ year lifespan of their PV system, they are thrilled with their decision to “go solar” as both a financial and environmental investment. Elaine and Jim have joined the Solarize effort as Solar Ambassadors to share their solar story. Solar Ambassadors are critical to the community work of Solarize Delta County, volunteering to share their skills and passions to empower their neighbors to go solar, the solarize way.

To receive more information about “going solar” and to participate in Solarize Delta County, learn about upcoming educational events, or volunteer your skills and passions, please reach out to the Solarize Team at solarize@solarenergy.org or call

970-527-7567 x 213.   Ask about the tiered community rebates!  

Deadline to register and receive a remote site assessment is July 15th! Sign a contract by June 1st to receive a $250 credit to remote monitor your new system!

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SEI Alumni Highlight: Ethan Mendel

For some, beginning a career in the solar industry is like going home. This is especially true for SEI Student Ethan Mendel. Ethan rolled up to the SEI Campus with his off-grid tiny home in tow. Appropriately, he was enrolled in PV 203, Fundamentals of Battery Based PV Systems. A veteran from Georgia, Ethan not only wants to learn more about battery based systems to service the system on his home, but he is also looking to begin a career in solar.

Previously, Ethan lived in Israel for 5 years before returning to the States where he worked in construction. To launch his new career, Ethan chose to begin his solar training at SEI through the recommendations of solar industry professionals he’s met while working on his tiny home. About SEI, Ethan recollects that “everyone I’ve come into contact with in the industry has nothing but great things to say, especially if you’re interested in getting started out, it’s a great place.”

He’ll make Paonia his home (or rather bring his home to Paonia) for several weeks this summer to complete a series of solar installation courses. Eventually, he hopes to become a Solar Installer. In the meantime, he’s “loved every minute” of his time at SEI and in the town of Paonia, especially the face-to-face time with instructors and the “positive, energetic atmosphere of the campus.” That personal interaction led to the serendipitous discovery that his instructor also owned a tiny home with a stand alone system, leading to copious after class conversations. Ethan and his fellow students have also had the opportunity to tour PV systems in the surrounding community to experience the real world application of their coursework. When he returns for the lab class in the coming weeks, he’s excited to try his hand at an actual installation.

Speaking of his time at SEI, Ethan advises other students to “soak up every minute of it, meet everyone you can, and take advantage of what the town has to offer!”

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SEI Alumni Highlight: Fred Munn

Fred Munn came to Paonia this April, seeing a sunny future for himself and his business. Fred and his business partner, Michael Hendrix, journeyed to SEI’s Paonia campus from Wisconsin to jump start their solar installer training experience. Beginning with PV 101- Grid Direct Solar Design and Installation and continued on with PV 203- Fundamentals of Battery Based PV Systems, they dove into their new career path with a two week, in-depth experience.

For Fred, training to become a solar installer was a natural extension of his career in construction. “We wanted to expand to an area that is ground breaking” Fred says of growing his business to include solar PV installation. Fred and his partner chose SEI after doing their research on all of the training options available to them. They were impressed with SEI’s credentials and history in the industry. Saying of his experience in the classes “we put in a FULL week.. It’s even more than I expected” He feels confident that through his solar installation training at SEI that he will know the fundamentals of Solar PV, understand the unique aspects of many types of system and diagnose and service any system that might come his way.

Fred and Mike plan to take their knowledge back to Southwest Wisconsin where their solar education will take them to “a level above” existing companies in the area. They put in the time early on so they would have a solid foundation in solar installation to bring to their business. They plan to be there not only for the installation, but for anything a customer might need, to keep them coming back far into the future. “Solar isn’t going anywhere and we’re in this business for the long haul.”

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SEI Career Opportunity: PV Team Member – Curriculum Developer

PV Team Member: Curriculum Developer

Solar Energy International (SEI) is a 501(c)3 non-profit education organization with a mission to provide industry-leading technical training and expertise in renewable energy to empower people, communities and businesses worldwide. Founded in 1991, SEI has trained more than 45,000 people from around the world. As an organization, we are committed to offering the highest quality, unbiased renewable energy training that we can. We are a group of people passionate about renewable energy and are continually striving to be the best training organization that we can be.

SEI’s PV Curriculum Development Team, which consists of six PV experts who receive input from over 40 SEI instructors, is seeking to hire additional members to assist with updating SEI’s over 400 hours of PV curriculum, and assist with developing new curriculum.  SEI’s Curriculum Development Team is based throughout the US.

Job Description: Successful candidates for our PV Curriculum Developer position will: combine PV technical knowledge with the ability to effectively communicate these concepts to various audiences; enthusiastically participate and communicate in a team-environment while being self-directed; engage in evolving SEI’s educational models; meet deadlines; and continuously strive to meet SEI’s standard of quality and professionalism with our instruction.

This position is full-time (40 hours), based remotely but will involve a few weeks a year at SEI’s home office and lab facility in Colorado. Salary dependent on experience. Additional benefits include health insurance, paid time-off, and a retirement package.

Applications due May 17th. Ideal start date is mid-June. To apply, please submit your resume, including industry-specific training, cover letter, and three references in one combined PDF to Faye Coats at faye@solarenergy.org.

Curriculum Development

• Technical editing and developing of SEI’s PV curriculum, including PowerPoints, exercises, quizzes, and videos for online and in-person trainings, including:
  • Updating course curriculum, structure, and format
  • Ensuring online and in-person curriculum are cohesive
  • Soliciting, tracking, and implementing instructor feedback
  • Participating in the development of new PV courses and SEI textbooks
  • Developing conference and contract curriculum

Instructor

• Instruct PV courses in-person and online, as needed

PV Team Member

• Attend weekly PV Team meetings, participate on subcommittees, and engage in SEI staff meetings

• Represent SEI at industry conferences
• Participate in SEI’s annual PV instructor training
• Assist registration staff with student placement and general technical questions from the public

Preferred Qualifications

• Minimum of 3 years of experience installing and designing PV systems and a strong technical understanding of best practices, industry standards, and the National Electrical Code
• Minimum of 2 years of experience creating curriculum and/or instruction
• NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installation Professional
• IREC Certified preferred
• Excellent written, verbal, and organizational skills
• Preference for bilingual, Spanish/English languages
• Ability to work and communicate well in a team environment, under tight deadlines, and to adapt to new situations
• Experience and expertise using MS PowerPoint and MS Office, Adobe Illustrator, CAD, and other industry-specific software
• Ability to work self-directed in an online, virtual environment and with a remote team
• Ability to communicate efficiently with co-workers via email and Skype
• Requires occasional travel to SEI, conferences, and other SEI trainings

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