Solar energy for your home or business

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BERKSHIRE COUNTY - On Thursday, May 14, the Center for Ecological Technology (CET) will offer a Solar Energy  for your Home or Business seminar from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Barrington Brewery, Crissey Farm banquet facility in the Jennifer House Commons. Chris Vreeland, a registered professional engineer, will be the featured speaker. Registration is required and a donation of $10 is suggested. BerkShares are accepted.

Interest in solar hot water and solar electric (photovoltaic) systems for homes, farms, schools and businesses in the Berkshires continues to grow, due to volatile fuel prices and concern about the effects of fossils fuels on our health and environment. Grants and tax incentives are available to help offset the cost of investing in solar energy and other renewable technologies.

This seminar is designed to help homeowners and businesses determine if a solar installation would be a good fit for their situation.  Attendees will learn the basics about how solar hot water and solar photovoltaic systems work, the components of a solar energy system, how to determine what size system is needed, whether they have a good site and how to gain additional benefits through energy efficient improvements.

Right now, the Commonwealth Solar program incentives are greatest for households with modest household income and home values and for commercial projects. Vreeland will provide detailed information on these and other financial incentives available fromMassachusetts and the federal government.

For more information or to register for this seminar, contact CET at 413-445-4556 ext. 25, or cynthiag@cetonline.org.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

BVNA Nurses Raise Funds for Berkshire Bounty

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Massachusetts Nursing Association members of the Berkshire Visiting Nurses Association raised $650 to help with food insecurity in Berkshire County.
 
The nurses and health-care professionals of BVNA have given back to the community every holiday season for the last three years. The first year, they adopted a large family, raised money, bought, wrapped and delivered the gifts for the family. Last year, they sold raffle tickets and the money raised went to the charitable cause of the winner. 
 
This year, with food insecurity as a rising issue, they chose to give to Berkshire Bounty in Great Barrington.
 
They sold raffle tickets for a drawing to win one of two items: A lottery ticket tree or a gift certificate tree, each worth $100. They will be giving the organization the donation this month.
 
Berkshire Bounty seeks to improve food security in the county through food donations from retailers and local farms; supplemental purchases of healthy foods; distribution to food sites and home deliveries; and collaborating with partners to address emergencies and improve the food system. 
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