PITTSFIELD - The Center for Ecological Technology will hold a workshop on solar energy for the home or small business on Wednesday, Sept. 26, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. (check in at 6) at the Berkshire Athenaeum at 1 Wendell Ave. Chris Vreeland, a professional engineer, will be the featured speaker. Registration is required and a donation of $10 is suggested.
Energy costs and concern about the effects of fossils fuels on our health and environment are leading many Berkshire businesses and homeowners to conserve and seek local, clean sources of energy. Interest in solar energy systems for homes, farms, schools and businesses is continuing to grow. Grants and tax incentives are available to help offset the cost of investing in solar energy and other renewable technologies.
This workshop is designed to help participants determine if solar energy would be a good fit for their situation. Attendees will learn the basics of how solar hot water and photovoltaic panels 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.
Vreeland will provide an overview of financial incentives available from the state and the federal government and will summarize a rebate program offered by the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative.
To register or for more information, call Cynthia Grippaldi at 413-445-4556, Ext. 25, or e-mail to cynthiag@cetonline.org.
CET is a non-profit energy and resource conservation organization that has served Western Massachusetts since 1976. It receives funding from the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency. This workshop is co-sponsored by the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative and Energy Federation Inc.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.
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Former Harry's Supermarket Under Construction for Restaurant
Late last month, the Conservation Commission greenlit some tree pruning on the property. New windows and a new door can be seen in the front of the building.
"It's a substantial renovation that's currently underway here," Brent White of White Engineering said, speaking on behalf of the applicant and owner, Huajie Zhu.
A fire gutted the longtime Wahconah Street supermarket in 2023, and the following year, Zhu purchased the property for $460,000 two years ago to build a restaurant with hibachi in the existing footprint of the more than 100-year-old building.
White explained that the project has been ongoing for over a year, and the Community Development Board granted the property a waiver to reduce the minimum required number of parking spaces so that additional spaces aren't needed.
He noted that, looking at the site plan, there is very little room to do so. A mirror will be installed near the sharp turn on Bel Air Avenue to alleviate traffic concerns.
Pruning will be done on trees in the southeast corner of the existing paved parking lot, as a number of branches are hanging over. The new owners also intend to patch, sealcoat, and re-stripe the parking lot.
A fire tore through the building less than an hour after the supermarket closed for the day three years ago. An automatic sprinkler system is required for the new use.
Cassidy Flynn scattered five hits in a complete-game effort in the circle as Lenox upset top-seeded Hoosac Valley, 3-2, in the quarter-finals of the Division 5 State Tournament. click for more
Brayden Durant struck out seven and walked one in a complete-game effort on the mound Saturday to pitch the Drury baseball team to a 6-0 win over Keefe Tech in the quarter-finals of the Division 5 State Tournament at Joe Wolfe Field. click for more
Jason Codey struck out 13, walked two and allowed just an infield single as the Generals earned a 7-1 win over Wahconah to claim their third straight regional title. click for more
Gracelyn Wright struck out eight, and Genevieve Lagess went 3-for-5 with four runs batted in as the Hurricanes beat Monson, 17-3, to claim their first Western Mass title in four years. click for more
For the boys, Ward Bianchi helped lead the way with a win in the shot put and a second place in the javelin as the Mounties finished 16 points ahead of runner-up Pittsfield (pending the results of the pole vault, which were unavailable at 11 p.m. Friday night). click for more
