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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Pittsfield Cannabis Cultivator Plans Dispensary
By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
PITTSFIELD. Mass. — A cannabis cultivator and manufacturer has opted to sell its products on site in Downing Parkway.
The Zoning Board of Appeals this month approved a special permit for J-B.A.M. Inc. to operate a dispensary out of its existing grow facility. There will only be changes to the interior of 71 Downing Parkway, as there will be less than 500 square feet of retail space in the 20,000-square-foot building.
"My only concern would be the impact, and really would be traffic, which I don't think is excessive, the odor, if there was one, but that doesn't seem to be an issue, and I think it's a good location for a marijuana facility," board member Thomas Goggins said.
The company's indoor cultivation site plan was approved in 2019, an amendment to add manufacturing and processing in 2021, and on the prior day, a new site plan to add a retail dispensary was approved by the Community Development Board.
J-B.A.M. cannabis products are available in local dispensaries.
The interior of the facility will be divided to accommodate an enclosed check-in area, front entrance, retail lobby, secure storage room, offices, and two bathrooms. There are 27 parking spaces for the facility, which is sufficient for the use.
No medical or recreational cannabis uses are permitted within 500 feet of a school or daycare, a setback that is met, and the space is within an industrial park at the end of a cul-de-sac.
"The applicant desires the restructuring of the business to be more competitive in the industry with the ability to grow and sell their own cannabis products so they have more financial stability," Chair Albert Ingegni III, read from the application.
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