Enstall & Solar Energy International team up to create new curriculum for entry level solar jobs and support veterans through scholarships Paonia, CO., May 8, 2024 — Enstall, a global leader in mounting and racking solutions, and Solar Energy International (SEI), a non-profit organization dedicated to solar energy education, have once again joined forces to strengthen the solar industry workforce. In March 2024, Enstall was awarded third place in Blackstone’s Give Back challenge, securing $75,000 in funds to partner with SEI to create a new curriculum for entry level solar jobs and provid ..read more

At SEI, we are privileged to train a diverse group of solar learners annually, each with varying levels of knowledge. While some students seek solar education to break into the industry, we also work with professionals already in the field who are eager to enhance their expertise. One such learner is Thomas Nielson, a Utah resident with a background in physics, who has spent his time in solar as a PV designer. Wanting to take his knowledge to new heights, Thomas decided to pursue NABCEP certification through SEI’s training program in 2022. He was awarded financial assistance through a scholars ..read more

Solar Energy International (SEI) is proud to announce that our co-founder and board member, Johnny Weiss, has been awarded the prestigious NABCEP Walt Ratterman Award in recognition of his outstanding humanitarian solar work. The award is named after solar energy pioneer Walt Ratterman. He tragically lost his life in 2010 while on a humanitarian mission in Haiti. It is awarded to individuals who have demonstrated exceptional dedication and commitment to using renewable energy to improve the lives of people in need. Johnny Weiss is a true visionary in the field of renewable energy education. H ..read more

COSSA’s Solar Power and Energy Storage Mountain West conference is coming up soon and SEI will be attending, bringing some NABCEP-certified trainings with us. Conference attendees can join us on February 27th for the following free training: 2023 NEC® Changes Affecting PV and Energy Storage System PV + Storage Configurations for Non-fixed Rate Tariffs and Resiliency I-V Curves and Diodes Demystified Thermography and PV Systems Join industry professionals in the mile high city to explore unique political developments, innovations, and opportunities in the Mountain West region. Gain insight ..read more

Will we be seeing you at this year’s NABCEP conference? The advanced-level content presented at the annual NABCEP CE Conference is geared toward PV industry professionals who have experience with PV installation, solar + storage, technical sales, design, O&M, or system inspection. This is the only industry event that allows NABCEP Board Certified Professionals to obtain as many as 20.5 hours of continuing education units needed to recertify. PV Associates can obtain 12 continuing education units needed to renew. Non-certified renewable energy professionals seeking to advance their career ..read more

Discover the inner workings of power inversion and how inverters play a crucial role in converting DC to AC power. The Basics of Power Inversion Power inversion is the process of converting direct current (DC) power into alternating current (AC) power. This is necessary because most electronic devices and appliances in our homes and businesses run on AC power. In almost all solar PV systems, inverters are used to convert the DC power generated by the solar panels into AC power that can be used to power everyday items or fed back into the grid. Inverters work by using electronic circuits to ..read more

Uncover key factors that impact the performance of PV modules and learn useful techniques to optimize their efficiency. Temperature Affects Efficiency Temperature plays a crucial role in the efficiency of PV modules. High temperatures can negatively impact the performance of solar panels, reducing their efficiency and power output. When the temperature of the PV module increases, the electrical resistance of the cells also increases, leading to a decrease in the overall efficiency. It is essential to understand this impact and take measures to mitigate the effects of high temperatures. One ..read more

Join us at this year’s RE+ Conference in Las Vegas, NV from September 11th-14th! Many of SEI’s talented team members will be in attendance, delivering impactful training sessions and sharing their expertise. This is a unique opportunity to connect with top-notch professionals and vendors in the North American solar industry. You’ll gain valuable insights that will take you to the next level, and get an exclusive sneak peek at the latest products and services in the industry. Check out the exciting training sessions we have lined up for you at the conference: Paid Training on September 11, 2 ..read more

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) Fiscal Year 2022 Advancing Equity Through Workforce Partnerships has created a $13.5 million funding program for the development of collaborative workforce programs. The program facilitates the rapid deployment of solar energy technologies while supporting an inclusive workforce. This work, partly funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, will enable more members of disadvantaged communities and energy justice populations to pursue careers in the solar energy industry. The Department of Energy announced the selectio ..read more

In the spring of 2023, NorthWestern Energy and Solar Energy International – Solar In the Schools (SEI-SIS) continued piloting a solar energy training pathway program for high school students in Montana. SEI-SIS provided two immersive one day solar energy training sessions for technical education students at Helena High School and Capital High School in Helena, Montana. Similar to the high schools in Billings, where SEI-SIS solar training was completed in November 2022, the high schools in Helena also have well developed technical trades programs. Students at both Helena ..read more