IBEW Local 461 out of Aurora, IL & their newly installed solar carport training system provided by The IL IBEW REF. Carports are important to the Energy Transition, as they capture energy from the sun using space wisely, without limiting the initial purpose of the space.

Max, an REF graduate who took classes with us @tritoncollege, has received the news he will start his apprenticeship with IBEW Local 134.

As fall begins, we look back at our Summer Solar graduating class of 2026. The graduates are now working in the field as Trainees. Congrats everyone! ☀️

Cynthia S, has got the news she will be starting her apprenticeship with Local 134 after enrolling with @chicagowomenintrades & an IBEW REF college course.

As fall begins, we look back at our Summer Solar graduating class of 2026. The graduates are now working in the field as Trainees. Congrats everyone! ☀️

Jeramiah & Cameron, both REF graduates & Summer Solar attendees, have recieved the news they will be starting their Apprenticeship today!

As fall begins, we look back at our Summer Solar graduating class of 2026. The graduates are now working in the field as Trainees. Congrats everyone! ☀️

IBEW Local 309 and Southwestern Illinois JATC Instructor, Stephen Erspamer assists these 12 apprentices to be recognized as "Qualified Trainees" of the "Illinois Solar For All" training provided by the IL IBEW REF. Special thanks to Day and Night Solar from Collinsville IL.

The IL IBEW Renewable Energy Fund team goes to visit a Solar project at Marist High School, where REF instructor and Foreman Cesar Diaz was running the project.

A great shot of our Community Based Organizations Summer Cohort! Extremely proud to report all of these students are now in the field working as pre-apprentices! ☀️

Community Based Org. Certificate Day! These CBO’s bring such an amazing dynamic to the REF. A special thank you to @powerofpeopleci @chicagowomenintrades @helmetstohardhats @chicagojesuitacademy @onefamilyillinois @hire360partners The CCDOC & Comed Construct

IL IBEW REF Executive Director, Bob Hattier speaks on a panel regarding Workforce development at InterSolar Midwest Confrence.

Happy Labor Day from The IL IBEW Renewable Energy Fund. A special thanks to everyone in the Trades to make this day possible to all of our Trainees & Apprentices in the field.

Montana S, a 2025 Summer Solar Graduate talks about his first 6 months as a Local 134 Trainee.

Joshua P, a 2025 Summer Solar graduate speaks on his experience an IBEW Local 134 Trainee.

Michael H, took our IBEW REF class at Triton college and is now a Trainee with Local 134. He stopped by the Union Hall to share his experiences of being in the field. Good Luck out there Michael!

Cynthia S, an A.V.I. Photovoltaic (Solar Electric) Fundamentals graduate AND Night Class attendee, speaks on her experience as a trainee. Keep up the great work, Cynthia!

LEO high School’s Off-Grid Solar Day! . The challenge: can we power a JBL speaker with a 100W panel? And what song did the graduating class of the IBEW REF Solar Fundamentals class pick to test the experiment??? A song that came out before they were born.

Mini House Solar Design day @chicagoagsciences . Wrapping up the years lessons plans getting prepared for our Summer Programs!

Some innovative Solar Energy installs. A Solar Carport is an elevated Solar awning placed above parking spaces to gather sunlight while keeping parking spaces functional. Agrivoltaics— utilizes sheep grazing to naturally manage vegetation around solar arrays.