The Solar Energy Industries Association has unveiled a new membership dues structure the group said will allow small businesses to more easily become members.

The new structure allows companies to join at a "basic" level at $750 a year. Companies can also choose to become premium members with more benefits, starting at "watt" for $4,500 a year. There are five premium levels, each granting more benefits with the highest level—terawatt—guaranteeing a seat on the association's board of directors. SEIA did not disclose pricing for levels beyond watt.

Basic membership benefits include access to SEIA's tax manual, webinars and affinity programs. Premium level benefits include discounts to association-sponsored events and participation in exclusive working groups and webinars.

"By expanding our offerings, we can bring more solar companies into the SEIA fold, ultimately strengthening our voice in Washington, D.C., and in state capitals across the country," SEIA CEO Abigail Ross Hopper said.

Current SEIA members will see the dues changes take effect in 2019. The association's website doesn't list its former dues structure, but a 2011 dues sheet listed fees ranging from $250 to $55,000, depending on the type of business and its combined revenue and research and development budget. http://bit.ly/2xDNRII

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