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Utility professionals who need to brush up on the solar industry, but just don’t have the travel budget, may be eligible for a scholarship to Solar Power International  (SPI), Sept. 10 to13 in Orlando, Fla.    

The Solar Electric Power Association  (SEPA) is offering a limited number of scholarships  for utility employees to attend this business-to-business solar conference and trade show. This event brings together the solar industry to build and advance important business relationships, stay current on industry developments and find new solutions.

Conference registration will include attendance at all conference sessions and idea swaps, as well as Tuesday’s block party at Hard Rock Live and Café. In addition, join utility peers as they discuss solar successes and challenges at SEPA’s exclusive utility events, which include a breakfast with the regional directors and a utility-only networking reception.

Scholarship recipients will receive a complimentary full conference registration, valued up to $1,095, plus a stipend of up to $1,000 for coach airfare and hotel accommodations. SEPA intends the scholarships to encourage attendance of utility executives who would not otherwise be able to attend SPI due to budgetary and/or travel restrictions. No other obligations apply.

Completed applications must be submitted by June 15, 2012. Contact Jessica Sliva with questions about the scholarship program. To learn more about the conference, watch SEPA President and CEO Julia Hamm address  the SPI 2011 conference body on SEPA’s YouTube channel.

The Solar Electric Power Association is offering a limited number of scholarships for electric utility staff to attend one of their conferences in 2012. The scholarships are intended to encourage attendance by utility staff that would not otherwise be able to attend due to budgetary and/or travel restrictions. Municipal, cooperative and investor-owned utility staff are eligible to apply for a scholarship to:

• PV America 2012 West, March 19-21 in San Jose, CA – Deadline is Jan. 20; applicants will be notified no later than January 30, 2012.
• Utility Solar Conference, April 17-18 in Tucson, AZ – Deadline is Feb. 17;  applicants will be notified no later than February 27, 2012.
• Solar Power International, Sept. 10-13 in Orlando, FL – Deadline is June 15, 2012; applicants will be notified no later than June 25, 2012.

Recipients will receive complimentary full conference registration, and a travel stipend for coach airfare and hotel stay (receipts reimbursed). For PV America and USC, the travel stipend is up to $750. For SPI the stipend is up to $1,000 because of the conference’s duration. SEPA will consider geographic location, utility-type and SEPA membership status to ensure diversity of recipients. Only one scholarship is available per utility, per event, and is available only to utilities. Applicants must be at a management level or above.

Apply today! Questions about the scholarship program can be directed to Jessica Sliva.

The Solar Electric Power Association (SEPA) is offering a limited number of scholarships to attend the 2011 Utility Solar Conference, July 26-27, at the Hard Rock Hotel in San Diego. 

Scholarship recipients will receive a complimentary full conference registration, valued up to $1199, plus a stipend of up to $750 for coach airfare and hotel accommodations. 

Created by utilities for utilities, the conference’s educational content will target employees across departments with a role in solar program and project development and implementation, from executives to distribution engineers to program marketers. Attendees will enjoy a variety of networking opportunities, including:

• 2010 Top 10 Utility Awards Luncheon
• Utility Solar Interest Groups (USIGs) face-to-face meetings
• Evening receptions
• Networking breakfast with your regional colleagues and SEPA regional director

Don’t miss this forum where utilities can explore solar issues free from outside influences.  The deadline to submit applications is March 7, 2011, and scholarship recipients will be notified by March 14, 2011.

DOE’s Tribal Energy Program offers many publications and programs to help Indian tribes develop clean energy and energy efficiency resources:

• Renewable Energy Development in Indian Country: A Handbook for Tribes is an accessible reference for those who are new to energy project development or seek a refresher on key development issues as they navigate the project development process. Developed by Douglas MacCourt of Ater Wynne LLP for the Tribal Energy Program, the handbook supports tribal leaders, tribal economic and energy enterprises with overviews of the renewable energy project development process, discussion on how to protect tribal interests and exploration of financing options.
   
• The recently updated Renewable Energy Development on Tribal Lands brochure provides an overview of the program, including mission and purpose, 129 funded tribal energy projects, renewable energy resource information, education and training, technical assistance, and information resources. Download a copy on the Tribal Energy Program website.
• Technical assistance and services offered by the Division of Energy and Mineral Development (DEMD) in the Bureau of Indian Affairs. DEMD provides technical assistance and scientific information to help tribes and allottees maximize their resource potential from oil and gas, renewable energy, or mineral resources.
• Technical assistance to tribal EECBG recipients—DOE’s Technical Assistance Program (TAP) will be undertaking some new initiatives to provide technical assistance to Tribal Energy Efficiency Community Block Grant recipients.  Learn more about TAP for tribal EECBG recipients.
• More technical assistance opportunities are available to assist Federally-recognized Indian tribes, bands, nations or other organized groups and communities with renewable energy and energy efficiency projects. It may include renewable energy technology information, renewable resource information, energy efficiency techniques, project support, system performance modeling, policy information, design review, special studies, strategic energy planning and training. Download the technical assistance request form, fill it out, and forward it to the Tribal Energy Program.
• Student internships are available to current college upper-classmen and graduate students for summer 2011 internships. Students must be U.S. citizens and Native Americans with specific interest in renewable energy. Applications are due Feb. 18, 2011. Download the application, or learn more the internship program, and see comments of past interns and their papers.