IBEW-Style Earth Day in Providence

April 24, 2008

It started on college campuses, but Earth Day, April 22, is now a universal happening that promotes activism to save our planet. And who is better prepared to display their activist stripes than IBEW electricians and apprentices who install solar panels to create clean, renewable power?

Providence, R.I., Local 99 held an open house on Earth Day to showcase the solar array at the union’s offices, the largest solar project in the state.  Political, labor and business leaders were in attendance.

Business Manager Allen P. Durand told The Providence Journal, “We’re trying to jump-start a renewable energy epidemic.”  Durand spread the word that Rhode Island residents can make use of $2,000 in federal and $4,000 in state tax credits for solar energy projects in their homes, leaving between $5,000 and $8,000 in out-of-pocket costs.

Local 99’s photovoltaic system includes three separate arrays with a total capacity of 50 kilowatts.  The first array, completed last year, has 42 panels and will be used for training purposes.  The second array is on the roof and contains 100 panels.  The third is a freestanding array with 100 panels.

Durand is encouraging schools to send students visit the union hall to get a taste of the jobs and technology of the future.