Workshops on Small Scale Solar and Wind Energy Open to Public

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In response to growing interest in solar and small-scale wind power in the Berkshires, the Center for Ecological Technology (CETsm) will offer a workshop to highlight small-scale renewable energy technology and exciting new funding opportunities. Anyone who is curious about what’s involved in using renewable energy at home or work is encouraged to attend the informational workshop, which will be presented in North Adams and again in Great Barrington. The first workshop will take place on Tuesday, September 13 from 7 pm to 9 pm at the North Adams Public Library. On Tuesday, September 20, the second workshop will be held at Simon’s Rock College in Great Barrington in the Fisher Science Center, Clark Auditorium from 7 pm to 9 pm. Chris Vreeland, a registered professional engineer, will be the featured speaker. Both workshops are free and open to the public. Pre-registration is encouraged. Increases in energy costs and concern about the damage fossils fuels cause to the environment lead many people to seek local, clean sources of energy. Conservation is a critical part of any energy strategy. Installing small renewable energy systems is becoming increasingly popular. Over the past few years, dozens of solar electric systems have been installed on homes, schools and public buildings in the Berkshires. CET’s small-scale renewable energy workshop is a good way to find out if a renewable energy system is a good fit. Those who attend will learn the basics of using energy from the sun to create electricity or heat water. They will also learn how solar panels work, the components of a solar electric system, how to determine whether they have a good site and how many solar panels would meet their electrical needs. Also covered will be average prices for solar electric and solar hot water systems, and how to find local contractors who install systems. Both workshop sites feature newly installed solar electric systems, so the workshop will include a tour of the system. Financial incentives are available. Mr. Vreeland will give an overview of those incentives and will summarize a new program through the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative that can help homeowners and small businesses pay for renewable energy systems. The workshop will briefly explain small-scale wind and hydropower. Individuals interested in learning more about commercial scale wind power may want to attend a tour of the Searsburg Wind Power Facility. For more information about those tours, visit http://www.cetonline.org/Events/events.htm#Wind. Please pre-register if you are interested in coming to either of the workshops. To find out more or to pre-register, contact Amy Johns, at 413-445-4556 ext. 14 or email her at: amyj@cetonline.org. CET is a non-profit energy and resource conservation organization that has served western Massachusetts since 1976. CET receives funding from the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency. These workshops are made possible through grant funding from the U.S. Department of Energy and the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative.
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Dalton Announces New Supplier for Energy Program

DALTON, Mass. – The Town of Dalton has signed a thirty-four month contract with a new supplier, First Point Power.
 
Beginning with the January 2026 meter reads, the Dalton Community Choice Power Supply Program will have a new rate of $0.13042 per kWh. The Program will also continue to offer an optional 100 percent green product, which is derived from National Wind Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs), at a rate of $0.13142 per kWh.
 
For Dalton residents and businesses who are enrolled in the Town's Program, the current rate of $0.13849 per kWh will expire with the January 2026 meter reads and the new rate of $0.13042 per kWh will take effect. This represents a decrease of $5 per month on the supply side of the bill given average usage of 600 kWh. Additionally, this new rate is 3 percent lower than Eversource's Residential Basic Service rate of $0.13493 per kWh. Residents can expect to see an
average savings of $3 per month for the month of January 2026. Eversource's Basic Service rates
will change on Feb. 1, 2026.
 
Dalton launched its electricity program in January 2015 in an effort to develop an energy program that would be stable and affordable. From inception through June 2025, the Program has saved residents and small businesses over $1.7 million in electricity costs as compared to Eversource Basic Service.
 
It is important to note that no action is required by current participants. This change will be seen on the February 2026 bills. All accounts currently enrolled in the Program will remain with their current product offering and see the new rate and First Point Power printed under the "Supplier Services" section of their monthly bill.
 
The Dalton Community Choice Power Supply Program has no fees or charges. However, anyone switching from a contract with a third-party supplier may be subject to penalties or early termination fees charged by that supplier. Ratepayers should verify terms before switching.
 
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