Scroll down to bottom of page to see the latest  pictures of the union hall installation
CLICK ON
Solar program application link above to print application

Next Kick off Deadline
April 30, 2008
Info on this page is part of the IBEW 68 Photovoltaic Committee effort to inform our members of Photovoltaic Programs and opportunities to implement Solar PV in Colorado.





Click links below for related information
Information on this page is input by Mary Broderick on a voluntary basis as  present chair of the IBEW 68 Photovoltaic Committee
Please fax one copy of application to NPCP fax #
(604) 983-2869 and a second  copy to IBEW 68 attn. PV committee at
(303) 296-6252
Save this file on your own computer before making any changes to the document.  Fill out application and save in your documents, then print and fax or simply click send page to email IBEW68PV@ibew68.com with the subject line as attn. PV Committee NPCP Solar Application
The photos below are courtesy of IBEW 68 member Shawn Josserand. Click on the links below to learn more about his system and his net installation costs after rebate
3kW System cost of IBEW 68 member Shawn Josserand
3kW System one line diagram by Shawn Josserand
Click on underlined text to view documents below

Want to learn more about what IBEW 68 Electricians are doing to promote Photovoltaics and Wind?occlickto the IBEW 68 Photovoltaic Information Page.



Click on this link to see what an IBEW Solar Barn Raising is!
New on Electric TV This is the National IBEW website and Denver IBEW 68 electricians are featured at the Solar Barn Raising at Richard Roth's home
Click on the segment entitled SPOTLIGHT ON SKILLS
(Note this is streaming video so you may want to hit the pause button to allow the segment to download first; that way it will play through without interuption)


The IBEW68 Photovoltaic Committee
is a network of union electricians committed to advancing the Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Industry in Colorado.
It is in place to promote, assist, and guide IBEW68 electricians and contractors in Photovoltaic System integration, installation, financing and rebate incentives in conjunction with the NPCP  (National Photovoltaic Construction Partnership).
It is further formed for those involved members to assist each other on PV installs on their own homes, in order to market and promote the IBEW and its signatory contractors as the customer's choice for Photovoltaic Installation in Colorado

The IBEW 68 Photovoltaic Committee has changed its name to the Renewable Energy Committee as of March 11, 2008


IBEW 68 Promotes Colorado's Clean Energy Economy by installing
the first Small Scale Wind Generator in Metro Denver
The installation will increase electricians' awareness of  Residential Wind Generators as a Clean Energy Option

Click here to see the latest picture of installed Wind and PV at our Union Hall

The next PV Networking meeting is:
April 8,  6PM -8pm at the Union hall.

Come to network with other electricians interested in installing Photovoltaic Systems. These meetings are open to all IBEW members, bring a newcomer with you. Our goal is to outreach to the membership and encourage members to apply for the XCEL Energy Solar Rebate program. We have information on the NPCP Solar Purchase program for IBEW members.

Agenda Items for the April  Meeting:
  • 6:00 PM Butch Hueske of Comelco will present the Solar Trailer design concept for the Promotional solar Trailer to be used at the Democratic National convention and for future Hands on Training in the Solar Curriculum. This project has been funded by the Joint industry promotional Fund, and we need to have acting foremen to guide the design and build project. If you step up to the plate, it will serve as a NABCEP site for certification purposes
  • 6:30 PM
  • IBEW 68 to Host Colorado Clean Energy and Green Jobs summit at the Union Hall!in June 2008. This is a joint effort between the Colorado Apollo Alliance and the IBEW 68 Renewable Energy Committee
  • We need to coordinate for this event and delegate tasks.
  • Promotional flyer On IBEW 68 Electrician, TED Thomas as he talks about the PV Installation from purchase to final permit. Come to the General Membership meeting on April 1, to see TED's system and hear him speak about it , during the Photovoltaic Committee report.

  • Discussion of Legislative issues in the 2008 session that pertain to Licensing and Other Bills
  • Discussion of the IBEW 68 Renewable Energy Committee potential involvement at the Democratic National Convention
  • Coordination of NPCP orders for a late April delivery  we must have order in by March 28, 2008 Please send your questions to Mary Broderick ibew68pv@ibew68.com or call me at 303 902-4353
  • Sign up for free Solar site analysis of your home or email the PV Committee at ibew68pv@ibew68.com. This site analysis will help you to determine what size solar system would be optimum for your home and what percentage of your electrical load could be offset with Solar PV.

PLEASE consider applying for the Residential Solar Program by April 30, 2008.
Colorado has one of the best rebates in the country right now. We can move this industry forward by installing on our own homes.  Utility rates in Colorado will be increasing ! Use this valuable rebate to buy a system that will hedge your costs for the next 20-30 years!


NPCP IBEW Solar Program UPDATE

We have a firm pricing commitment for the next 6 months however previous pricing will be increasing about $0.10/Watt. A new price list is available at all RE committee meetings and can be made available to all members, by asking for it at the main office window at the hall.
If you have not applied yet
  • Print it out and fill out the application form entitled Solar Program Application
  • Fax to the NPCP fax number and the IBEW 68 fax number
  • AND
  • Email me the application and when it is received I will forward the pricing information to you.
  • PLEASE EMAIL ME with YOUR QUESTIONS and I will resolve them
  • Click on the PV Committee email link at left. I will reply on a daily basis

More info on NPCP Solar program can be found by clicking underlined links below
Also if you have questions about applying for the XCEL rebate to offset the cost of
www.npcpsolar.com (click to learn more about the NPCP)
(click on the underlined portions to view the documents)

The IBEW 68 Photovoltaic Installation at our Union Hall received a final inspection on July 17,2007
Scroll down to bottom of photo gallery to see recent pictures


  • The Photovoltaic System began generating as of July 16, 2007.


The IBEW Renewable Energy Committee members have created a Photovoltaic cooperative that helps members who have purchased the NPCP Solar Packages to have the assistance of volunteer electricians who want to get hands on experience installing Photovoltaic systems. This is a "barn raising " concept.
The idea is to help electricians qualify to sit for the NABCEP exam in the Spring of 2008 by giving them volunteer foreman responsibilities on installations that members may not be able to do themselves. This will be done within the NABCEP Guidelines. Come to monthly meetings to learn!

IBEW 68 electricians have collectively purchased 50kW  of Photovoltaic systems since Feb. 2007.







The photo at right was taken at the July 2006 Solar Conference. Pete Kuntz is an instructor at the DJEATC and will be teaching the Master's preparation exam class.He is showing a mockup of a typical Grid Tie PV  components that are UL listed and required by the NEC for all Grid-Tie PV systems
These are just a few of the pictures of the 8-26-2006 PV Installation at the Apprenticeship hall.  Please return to site to see the slide show of all installation photos
This is the new PV installation at the Denver IBEW 68 Union Hall. The installation includes (2) 9350 Wdc Photovoltaic Arrays that are an awning mount and a roof-ballasted mount. These arrays will generate 26,850kWh annually and offset $2247.00 electrical costs annually

IBEW 68 electricians Ed Ayala and Dan Cathey installing the 18 190W Sanyo PV panels
The brackets below were fabricated by LU 24 Ironworker Dave Stoppel. 20% of the cost was donated on behalf of the Ironworkers LU 24
Completed 18 panel array which produces 3420Wdc and is expected to produce 4714kWh ac on an annual basis. This is one of the three systems that the DJEATC plans to install at the Jack Spaar Training Center of the DJEATC which is the Electrical Apprenticeship Training Center
The picture above shows the completed BOS components that convert the DC energy to AC energy which is fed back to the Grid in this Grid Tie system
Scott Robb is explaining the need for a DC Disconnect to apprentice Bruce Conrad.
Rick Ellison and Scott Robb discussing layout of system to interface to the Conduit Rack which Rick had laid out
Ed Ayala reading the Inverter display which was showing the number of kWhrs the system was generating.
There were 240 Attendees who attended the John Wiles presentation of Photovoltaic's and the 2005 NEC on 10-25& 26-2006

The IBEW 68 Photovoltaic Committee invited John Wiles to present.

The DJEATC had over 100 apprentices attend and invited the Colorado State Electrical Inspectors

NECA through the JIPF funded the food and the printed materials
We had full attendance on both nights of the 2 night seminar. In addition to over 100 IBEW electricians; we had over 30 state and County electrical inspectors and 4 engineering firms represented

Cindy Knox coordinated all the food for both nights and also printed all the handouts. She is Ed Knox's wife and a wonderful example of volunteering for the Good of the Union

Here are more photos of what IBEW 68 Photovoltaic Committee members have been volunteering their time in an effort to promote the Photovoltaic Industry.
The DJEATC is offering  Solar PV class which focuses on theory with a hands-on emphasis coupled with the NJATC curriculum. Contact the apprenticeship to register 303 295-1903
The I.B.E.W. Photovoltaic Committee is a network of union members, committed to the organized photovoltaic industry. It is in place to promote, assist and guide I.B.E.W. Local Union # 68 members in the engineering, installation, financing and XCEL rebate program, in conjunction with the National Photovoltaic Construction Partnership (N.P.C.P.). It is further formed for those involved members to assist each other on installs for personal residences, in order to market and promote the I.B.E.W. and our signatory contractor's as the Customer's Choice for Photovoltaic installations in Colorado.
Latest photos of LU68 PV Installation as of 4/30 2007

Installed by Signatory Solar Electric Contractors Solaquillo and Golden Solar
The 2 Photovoltaic arrays are expected to eliminate 10 tons of Co2 emissions the first year
Click here to see what the systems are generating
Click on underlined words to follow link; hit the pause button until the segment downloads to prevent interuption of the video