Renewable Energy Education
for a Sustainable Future
  Home | Workshops | Membership | Contact   SEI Newsletter, Issue 68 - December 2008  
The Union of Concerned Scientists features SEI PV Program Director Carol Weis on their Faces of Renewable Energy page. Faces of Renewable Energy showcases real people who are building our clean energy economy. Click here to check out their website to see Carol's profile along with SEI associate Bob Gough.
Upcoming SEI Workshops
Solar Hot Water workshop on Guemes Island, WA
Do you want to learn how to build sustainable homes? Or how renewable energy can improve people's lives in the developing world? Check out the upcoming courses at SEI:
Canada Surpasses 2000 MW of Wind Energy Capacity Installed
Canadian Wind Farm
photo credit: CanWEA
The Canadian Wind Energy Association (CanWEA) announced Canada has officially become the 12th country in the world to surpass 2,000 megawatts (MW) of installed wind energy capacity. Wind currently supplies approximately 1 percent of Canada's electricity demand, with 85 wind farms representing approximately 2,246 MW of generating capacity.

"Surpassing the 2,000 MW mark represents a significant milestone for the wind energy industry in Canada. We believe, however, that we have only scratched the surface in terms of the role wind energy can and must play in Canada's clean energy future," said Robert Hornung, president of CanWEA. "Achieving our industry goal of meeting 20 per cent of the country's electricity needs with wind energy by the year 2025 will generate CAN $79 billion in new investments, create more than 52,000 new jobs, and provide economic development opportunities for rural communities throughout Canada."

Read the entire article at RenewableEnergyWorld.com
NABCEP Increases Fees
SEI workshop
photo credit: NABCEP
The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP), regarded as the singular credentialing body of renewable energy practitioners, has announced, effective January 17, 2009, an increase in fees to Solar PV and Solar Thermal Certification Exams, Recertification fees, and Continuing Education Providers. In order to meet the growing costs associated with developing and administering high quality certifications, the following fee increases must be implemented:
  • Exam Application fees will increase from $50 to $100
  • Initial Certification Exam fees will increase from $200 to $300
  • Repeated Certification Exam fees will increase from $150 to $200
  • Recertification fees will increase from $200 to $300
  • Continuing Education Providers fee will increase from $100 per two years to $200 per two years
These changes represent the first increase in fees since the programs were initiated, and according to NABCEP are necessary to ensure the continued implementation of quality credentialing and certification programs for renewable energy practitioners.
Alumni News - Solar for Low-Income Homeowners
SEI workshop photo credit: Grid Alternatives
Grid Alternatives, a San Francisco based non-profit organization cofounded by SEI alum Tim Sears, has been selected by the California Public Utilities Commission to administer the country's very first solar incentive program specifically for low-income homeowners. This means future GRID Alternatives clients throughout the state will be able to access dramatically higher rebates for solar installations on their homes. With record numbers of Californians struggling to hold onto their homes and jobs, low-income families need the long-term savings that solar provides more than ever.

Just four years after piloting our Solar Affordable Housing Program in 2004, Grid Alternatives installed over 200 solar electric systems for low-income homeowners in Northern California, Southern California, and the Central Valley. These systems will generate over $3.3 million worth of clean, renewable power over their lifespans for the folks who need it most, while eliminating over 10,000 tons of greenhouse gas emissions and training nearly 2,000 community volunteers and low-income job trainees.
2030 Challenge Stimulus Plan Hits Capitol Hill
Obama's Energy Transition
After a whirlwind visit to the Nation's Capitol this week, Edward Mazria and Architecture 2030 have caught the attention of policy-makers with a groundbreaking new economic stimulus plan. The 2030 Challenge Stimulus Plan harnesses the dollar value of energy that is wasted in buildings to power the US economic recovery. The Plan will create 8,445,012 new jobs, create a new $1.6 trillion renovation market, and pay the investment back immediately.

Over a five year period, the Plan will also:
  • save consumers $142.33 to 200.88 billion
  • reduce CO2 emissions by 481.13 Million Metric Tons
  • reduce energy consumption by 6.17 Quadrillion Btu
  • save 1.83 trillion cubic feet of natural gas and 83.35 million barrels of oil
Architecture 2030 is calling for an investment of $85.86 billion each year for two years in a Plan that integrates a housing mortgage buy-down and accelerated depreciation program for commercial buildings with the widely adopted energy reduction targets called the 2030 Challenge. The Plan also allocates $2 billion for education, for State energy offices to train building inspectors, energy auditors and professionals.

Click here to download the entire plan
Upcoming RE events
SEI workshop
Don't miss these exciting upcoming events:
Your Generosity Ensures our Success!
SEI workshop
SEI would like to welcome new members! As a membership-based non-profit, SEI's members are the heart of our organization and allow us to continue our educational programs. SEI Staff are passionate about the work we do and membership dues help sustain our renewable energy endeavors.

Please join us! Membership benefits include (depending on membership level) discounts on workshops, and a one year subscription to either Home Power magazine, Solar Pro magazine or E magazine.

Click here for details on how to become an SEI member.

To all SEI members . . . SEI sends thanks!
Help create a sustainable future. Please forward this newsletter to your friends.

PO Box 715 Carbondale, CO 81623
39845 Mathews Lane Paonia, CO 81428
970-963-8855 • fax: 970-963-8866
sei@solarenergy.org • www.solarenergy.org
Use this link to add your name to our mailing list.   Use this link to remove your name from our mailing list.