The Center for Ecological Technology (CETsm) will present a free solar energy workshop on Tuesday, April 4th from 7-9 p.m. in the Fisher Science Center at Simon’s Rock College in Great Barrington.
The featured speaker will be Chris Vreeland, a registered professional engineer. This informational workshop is free and open to the public. Pre-registration is encouraged.
Skyrocketing energy costs and concern about our dependence on fossils fuels are leading many people to seek local, clean sources of energy. Recently, dozens of solar electric systems have been installed on homes, schools and public buildings in the Berkshires, and solar hot water systems are once again attracting attention. Grants and tax incentives now help offset the cost of investing in solar energy and other renewable technologies.
CET’s solar energy workshop is a good way to discover 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. Participants will learn how solar panels work, the system components, how to determine whether they have a good site and how to gain additional benefits through energy efficient improvements.
The workshop will also address average prices for solar electric and solar hot water systems and how to find local installers. The workshop will showcase systems in installed in the Berkshires.
A highlight of the workshop will be information about financial incentives available from Massachusetts and the federal government. Mr. Vreeland will give an overview of tax incentives and will summarize a rebate program currently offered by the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative to help homeowners and small businesses pay for renewable energy systems.
Please pre-register if you are interested in attending. To find out more or to pre-register, contact Cynthia Grippaldi, at 413-445-4556 ext. 25 or email Nancy at: nancyn@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. CET is an equal opportunity service provider. This workshop is made possible through grant funding from the U.S. Department of Energy and the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.
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Dalton Fire Makes Quick Work of Gasoline Fire
By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
DALTON, Mass. — Firefighters made quick work of a fire that started in a garage on Main Street on Thursday at about 4:30 p.m.
Fire Chief Chris Cachat said the occupant was working on some motorcycles and "gasoline spilled, and there was a space heater that ignited."
It was going to be ruled as accidental, he said.
All the occupants were accounted for and one cat was rescued. He said there should be no problem with the occupants getting back into the house once the electrical inspector clears the
"The crews did a great job," the chief said, adding the late afternoon provided for more hands. "Perfect time of day to have something like this happen. We were able to get in here, get it knocked down."
The Fire Department was supported by police, Hinsdale, Windsor and Pittsfield fire departments, County Ambulance, the Water Department and Eversource.
Main Street was closed from Weston to Depot street for about an hour and half.
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Shane Faucher scored 18 points. Sammy Bullett added 14, and Connor Hinkell and Brayden Durant added 13 and 11, respectively, as Drury won its 11th straight game, improved to 19-2 and captured its first Western Mass title since 2023. click for more
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