In a field as rapidly-growing as solar energy, it’s important to find a unified voice to advocate for industry members and our customers and to continually move the dial forward through collaboration and standard-setting. In the solar industry, the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) is the national association that provides this service and acts as the industry voice in Washington, DC.

On the state level, each individual state’s Solar Energy Industries Association is a trade organization whose purpose is to enable long-term growth for the solar industry.

The Purpose of Trade Organizations

Job Growth

Our trade organization serves many important functions, including leading efforts towards a 100% clean energy attainment at the state level. It also serves as an engine for economic growth and job creation, assisting in the development of high-paying, local jobs with a future. The solar industry is particularly proud of this aspect of our field, as “in the five-year period between 2014 and 2019, solar employment increased 44%, five times faster than job growth in the overall U.S. economy.” Our work is important not only because of the imperative to increase clean energy production but because of its impact on local economies through workforce development.

Advocacy

Trade organizations like the SEIA are also notable for their advocacy work, providing a coordinated voice at the state and local level in the development of legislative, regulatory, and policy proceedings that influence the growth of the state’s market. They provide “a seat at the table” for industry experts to fight for the future of affordable, renewable energy. One major part of this advocacy includes securing financial incentives for consumers who are interested in switching to renewable power sources.

Ethics

Ensuring ethical business practices is at the heart of the SEIA’s work, as members must sign a Code of Ethics that promotes ethical practices and protects consumers by creating a fair market and setting industry standards. There are many benefits to working with an ethical, SEIA-member solar company, including accurate pricing, safety standards, and well-trained workers.

Networking

It’s important in every industry, but networking in the solar field - which is fast-growing and always changing - serves a dual purpose. It not only connects solar workers to a community of like-minded people who can share experiences, develop best practices, and provide support, it also helps us stay on top of developments in the field and gain access to resources the grow our businesses. This is great for industry workers and also helps us serve our customers as effectively as possible.

Education

The impact of the educational component of an industry association such as the SEIA cannot be understated. Whether it’s solar installers learning about new technologies and practices at sponsored events or solar design professionals discovering new ways to incorporate solar into their projects, we all keep growing and learning how to best meet consumer’s goals. There is also continuing education surrounding local planning and code enforcement, understanding solar financing, and even how to work with homeowner’s associations.

Solar Design Studio and the SEIA

Solar Design Studio is an engineering and consulting services firm that conducts business nationwide. Our client base includes other solar companies who need our expertise in engineering and design, electrical contractors who work with solar technologies, real estate owners (including multifamily properties), solar project developers, retailers, and those in the agricultural and industrial spaces seeking alternative energy solutions.

Our team includes licensed engineers certified by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners. As our founder and managing partner, I am also a founding board member of MOSEIA (Missouri’s state solar trade organization) and serve currently on the board.

Our involvement with MOSEIA (and other chapters in states where we conduct a large amount of business) enables us to identify qualified local solar installers to install several MegaWatts of projects for large clients, access resources to navigate the complexity of various utility tariffs which financially impact our various projects, connect with local individuals with the expertise to serve our customers, and a basis of credibility to conduct business in a particular state.

We’re very proud of our association with MOSEIA and the ways in which it helps us serve consumers at the highest level, unifying our expertise and experience to provide the best possible solar technology, design, and installation to meet their goals and increase the return on their solar investment. If you have a solar project to discuss with certified, ethical, professional solar experts, contact us today!

‍

To learn more about your area’s solar trade association, you can visit the websites listed below:

• MOSEIA.com - Missouri
• CALSSA.org - California
• MNSEIA.org - Minnesota
• NYSEIA.org - New York
• Flaseia.org - Florida
• Gaseia.org - Georgia
• Cossa.co - Colorado
• Oseia.org - Oregon
• Gosolartexas.org - Texas
• Tenneseiasolar.com - Tennessee
• Illinoissolar.org - Illinois
• Iowaseta.org - Iowa

‍