Johnny, a self-described “Jewish-Rasta-Zen-Quaker-Humanist,” handed away at dwelling on July 10, 2025, surrounded by household. He was 74 years previous. Within the yr since his most cancers prognosis he was cared for intently by his sons, Alex and Zack, and his former spouse Caryn. In what could be his remaining days, Johnny wrote a farewell letter to his beloved photo voltaic household.
Johnny usually mentioned he felt fortunate in life—and he meant it. Born in Glen Ridge, New Jersey in 1951, he credited a lot of his pleasure to 2 loving older brothers, a tight-knit junior excessive pal group that stayed shut for greater than sixty years, his dwelling household, his international photo voltaic household and a life full of neighborhood, journey, friendship, mischief and which means. He by no means felt the necessity to lock his home or automobile (the automobile was solely stolen as soon as), and he by no means misplaced his urge for food for journey.
Arriving by bike along with his finest pal Kevin in the summertime of 1972, he made Colorado and the Roaring Fork Valley his dwelling. After constructing properties and instructing at Colorado Mountain Faculty in 1991, he co-founded Photo voltaic Power Worldwide (SEI) as a nonprofit. For nearly 20 years, hundreds of scholars from all around the world traveled to SEI in Carbondale and later Paonia to study photo voltaic vitality and pursue careers in renewable vitality. His ardour was magnetic, his mentorship unwavering and his dedication to underserved communities foundational to all the pieces he did.
Johnny reminded us that we mustn’t ever lose sight of the communities nonetheless with out dependable energy, the faculties nonetheless instructing by candlelight, the clinics nonetheless ready for primary vitality entry. That is the place his coronary heart lived. Johnny usually mentioned that the world was our classroom—and he meant it. After retiring from SEI, Johnny continued to work with communities to deliver photo voltaic vitality to those that wanted it most—from Maasai villages in Tanzania to sovereign Native American lands throughout the U.S. In Could 2024, ASES awarded Johnny with our Code Improvement, Innovation, and Coaching Award in honor of Claudia Hansen Wentworth for his work propelling the photo voltaic trade ahead by main the cost in schooling.
Johnny reminded us that SEI was by no means nearly photo voltaic vitality expertise. It was about neighborhood. It was about potlucks and networking with a world neighborhood of scholars who visited the SEI Paonia, Colorado Coaching Facility. It was in regards to the connections made by way of the SEI On-line Campus, serving hundreds of scholars yearly from all around the world. It was about discovering your “photo voltaic tribe.” And above all, it was about creating a greater world by way of schooling, connection, and relentless hope.
He was proud—so deeply proud—of how far we’d come collectively. From the early counterculture roots studying Residence Energy Journal to SEI turning into a world-class photo voltaic coaching group, Johnny by no means overlooked the individuals on the heart of all of it. His ardour was magnetic, his mentorship unwavering, and his dedication to underserved communities foundational to all the pieces he did.
Highs and Lows: He skydived (excessive on mescaline), scuba dived 120 toes beneath the ocean, telemarked snowy peaks, fly-fished wild rivers, and as soon as unscrewed incandescent lightbulbs mid-ride on a slow-moving Disneyland attraction—as a result of even on trip, vitality effectivity issues. He bought as excessive and as little as an individual may on this fragile, spinning blue-green orb all of us name dwelling.
Johnny believed in Love and Gravity—what Buckminster Fuller known as the 2 strongest forces within the universe. He believed in being of use, in neighborhood, within the sacred job of therapeutic the world (Tikkun Olam, תיקון עולם), and within the significance of sharing good meals, good concepts, and good high-quality hashish. He was open about residing with bipolar II, dyslexia, an extended s-s-s-stutter, and a brief stature—however what he lacked in peak or technical precision, he greater than made up for with boundless enthusiasm.
The previous yr turned a present: lengthy cellphone calls with previous buddies, fly fishing, stargazing and visits from the individuals he beloved most. He cherished this time deeply. The home was stuffed with laughter, music, canines, reminiscences, and mismatched chairs pulled up for shared meals and tales. It gave him the prospect to replicate, have fun, and say goodbye on his personal phrases. In his remaining moments, Johnny expressed his like to all and mentioned that he felt blessed.
Relaxation in peace, expensive Johnny Weiss. You left us surrounded by love, and you allow behind a world nonetheless glowing with the heat you gave it. Your imaginative and prescient is alive. Your persons are prepared. And your gentle won’t ever exit.
With peace, with love, and with photo voltaic for all—
Ya mon.
Donations could be made to SEI’s Johnny Weiss Photo voltaic Power Entry for All Initiative offering scholarships to underserved populations around the globe and deepening our dedication to creating world packages.
