Solar Energy for your Home or Business

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CUMMINGTON, Mass. - On Wednesday, June 10, the Center for Ecological Technology (CET) will offer a Solar Energy for your Home or Business seminar at the Cummington Community House. Check in begins at 6 p.m. and the presentation is from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Advance registration is required and a donation of $10 is suggested. Chris Vreeland, a registered professional engineer and renewable energy consultant, will be the featured speaker. The event is co-sponsored by the Hilltown Sustainability Group.

Interest in solar hot water and solar electric (photovoltaic) systems for homes, farms, schools and businesses in the Pioneer Valley continues to grow due to volatile fuel prices and concern about the effects of fossils fuels on our health and environment. Attendees will learn about grants, rebates and tax incentives to offset the cost of investing in energy efficiency and solar photovoltaic and hot water systems.

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 photovoltaic program is of particular benefit to households with moderate income and home values and for commercial projects. Residents will also learn about a 0% interest loan that they may qualify for (up to $15,000) to finance energy efficiency measures and solar hot water systems through the MassSAVE home energy efficiency program.  Vreeland will provide detailed information on these and other financial incentives available through state and federal programs.

For more information or to register for this seminar, contact Tomasin Whitaker at CET at 413-586-7350 ext. 25, or tomasin@cetonline.org.
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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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