A Personal Appeal from Johnny Weiss of Solar Energy International - Support Non-Profit Renewable Energy Education

 Dear Friend of SEI,

Over 20 years ago a seed of positive change was planted through the establishment of Solar Energy International. Over the course of two decades, deep roots of progress have been established. Those roots have been nourished and need to continue to be nourished by supporters like you.

If you are like so many people the world over, you worry about climate change. And you see the widespread adoption of renewable energy as the solution to reducing human impacts on climate change.

And perhaps you, like countless others, believe that educating the world about renewable energy - its use, availability, benefits, and possibilities - is the answer to slowing climate change.

Perhaps you also worry about our economy. You see green jobs as having great potential for creating economic stability in the U.S. and around the world. We believe job training in solar installation is one of the best ways to bring about job growth and economic viability for all people. Over the past years SEI has supported the inclusion of women in the green jobs movement through a free women’s-only photovoltaic training.

Maybe you have heard the stories of the people who have launched careers in the solar industry after taking SEI classes-people who have increased their marketable skills and landed a job during these tough economic times.

Over the last 20 years, Solar Energy International has trained and served over 20,000 people. Many of them came to us seeking reliable, respected and recognized professional career training. Some came wanting to learn how to install off-the-grid and grid-tied solar systems on their own homes.

And, thanks to our donors, 5,000 people have taken our free online class RE100: Introduction to Renewable Energy, since it was launched in December 2010.

Student location pin drop map shown to the right - each student location automatically generated by the online course.

In 2011, SEI offered scholarships to 83 participants looking to build these skills who otherwise would not have been able to enroll. More specifically, SEI reaches out to populations in need by empowering them with renewable energy training and help in building energy infrastructures. This can be seen in our Native American outreach efforts where in 2011 SEI trained local tribal technicians and installed solar systems with Winona LaDuke on the White Earth Reservation in Minnesota.

And you might agree that today's youth have the greatest understanding of energy use, efficiency and conservation of any generation in history. Yet, we at SEI worry that this isn't enough. We worry that while our youth understand the complexities of energy use, they aren't being given the information in the practical context of how to fix the energy crisis.

Providing youth with hands-on experience with energy solutions doesn't just educate the leaders of tomorrow, it also educates those with the greatest influence on the leaders of today-youth have that incredible power to promote change.

Since 2002, SEI has made the intangible concept of energy use, efficiency, conservation, and alternatives into tangible take-aways for 10,000 K-12 students, thanks to supporters like you.

Long before renewable energy was sexy, Solar Energy International was in Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Ecuador offering renewable energy education for a sustainable future.

Since 1991, thanks to donors like you, we have been giving people in developing countries the know-how to power and empower their communities with light, clean water, and refrigeration. In 2012, SEI plans on offering more Solar Suitcase trainings in partnership with WE CARE SOLAR and with your help we can bring these portable power sources to communities in need. Watch video below about WE CARE SOLAR:

In 2012, we have ambitious and exciting plans. Please take a minute to review our accomplishments in 2011 and our goals for the year ahead. As always, we need your help to make them happen.

Warm regards,

Johnny Weiss
Executive Director

P.S. Your contribution, no matter the size, leads to a more sustainable future for us all. Please make a gift to SEI today!