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ADVANCED TRAINING FOR
PHOTOVOLTAIC INSTALLATION
AND MAINTENANCE

By leading the way in renewable energy technology training and education, IBEW Local Union 11 and LA NECA provide you with the most highly trained, knowledgeable, and skilled contractors and electricians to install and maintain your solar power system.

The Electrical Training Institute (ETI) of Southern California, owned and operated by LA NECA and IBEW Local 11, is the home of one of the ten largest privately owned, fully producing solar power generating systems in the United States. Through that major photovoltaic installation, and the high-tech classrooms, laboratories, and hands-on training facilities at the ETI, NECA and IBEW contractors and electricians receive intensive training and education in all aspects of installation and maintenance for photovoltaic systems. This expertise in energy-efficient, cost-effective solar power installations greatly benefits our customers, the electrical construction industry, and the communities of Southern California, as well as sets an impressive example for our nation.

The photovoltaic system located at the Electrical Training Institute of Southern California generates sufficient power to meet most of the energy needs of the entire 144,000-square-foot ETI training facility, and serves as a hands-on training tool for apprentices, journeyman electricians, and contractors. The system is also an educational showpiece for the electrical industry, business communities, residential builders, and legislative leaders, as well as provides our nation with a shining example of solar power in action.

Designed, built, and installed utilizing all-union contractors and labor, the ETI system is estimated to be one of the 100 largest photovoltaic systems in the world.

Beneficial Education for Contractors
and Electricians In Photovoltaic
Technology

Designed as a grid-interactive system, the ETI photovoltaic installation is capable of producing over 80% of all the power consumed by the ETI, and allows direct educational interaction for the electrical industry. Contractors, electricians, and apprentices train on this fully-functioning solar power generating system, and businesses and manufacturers are able to observe this environmentally-friendly renewable energy system in full operation.

In light of the rapidly increasing importance of photovoltaic technology, the comprehensive training provided by the ETI on this large-scale solar power generating system benefits the environment, the business world, and the general public. It ensures high quality training and proficiency for the professional contractors and skilled electricians who will continue to install and maintain these sustainable power generating systems.

Southern California’s Shining Example
of Solar-Generated Electricity

The LA NECA/IBEW Local Union 11 photovoltaic installation comprises two complete electrical systems which together consist of 2,610 individual solar panels, each of which produces 175 DC watts of power, for a system total DC output rating of 456,750 watts (almost 457-KW). The system is capable of providing close to 900,000 kilo-watt hours (KWH) of electrical usage per year. During times of surplus production, power flows out into the utility grid, turning the meter backwards, and providing a cost credit. During times when ETI usage is greater than photovoltaic generation, the net cost is significantly reduced by using the utility cost credit.

The solar panels are mounted on custom-designed galvanized steel and aluminum frames and slope at 23 degrees horizontally. Each solar array section measures 18 feet from front to back and 10 feet in height. The two arrays consist of five rows of array sections measuring 221 feet in length, and three rows of array sections measuring 255 feet in length, respectively.

The photovoltaic array is located on the rooftop of the classroom building and its adjacent warehouse. A display and control room located inside the building provides actual electrical interface with the serving utility and includes computer displays that track instantaneous and historical system production and facility consumption data. Apprentices, journeyman electricians, and contractors are able to access current and historical data to facilitate the monitoring and maintenance of the system’s highly efficient operation.

Through superior photovoltaic training and a working solar power system available to the electrical, business, and legislative communities, IBEW Local Union 11 and LA NECA are Your Solar Solution.