Berkshire Photovoltaic Services Managers Achieve Highest Certification

09:36AM / Friday, February 07, 2014Print Story | Email Story

Adam Rich, left, and Brian Waryjasz achieved the highest solar certification credential from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners.

ADAMS, Mass. — Two managers at Berkshire Photovoltaic Services achieved the highest solar certification credential from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners.

Bryan Waryjasz of Clarksburg and Adam Rich of Pittsfield both achieved the highest solar certification credential.

In fact, they were the only two Massachusetts applicants who passed on the recent exam — about 70 percent of applicants fail the test.

"Bryan and Adam are true experts in the technology," said Chris Kilfoyle, founder of BPVS and one of the first NABCEP certified photovoltaic professionals in the country. "This past year they each designed and managed the installation of complex AC coupled grid connect and stand by power solar systems, one in West Stockbridge and the other in Becket for our customers. We're very proud they passed the NABCEP exam which requires a thorough understanding of the complex interactions in solar electric system performance."

The Photovoltaic Professional Certification from NABCEP is recognized internationally as the standard for expertise in Solar Electric System design and installation. Certificate Applicants must prove three years experience in the field and submit case studies and references to four photovoltaic projects they have designed and managed the installation process. The credential is awarded after the applicants pass a rigorous, proctored test.

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Pittsfield Housing Project Adds 37 Supportive Units and Collective Hope

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
05:01PM / Monday, December 29, 2025

PITTSFIELD, Mass.— A new chapter in local efforts to combat housing insecurity officially began as community leaders and residents gathered at The First on to celebrate a major expansion of supportive housing in the city.

The ribbon was cut on Thursday Dec. 19, on nearly 40 supportive permanent housing units; nine at The First, located within the Zion Lutheran Church, and 28 on West Housatonic Street. The Housing Resource Center, funded by Pittsfield's American Rescue Plan Act dollars, hosted a celebration for a project that is named for its rarity: The First.

"What got us here today is the power of community working in partnership and with a shared purpose," Hearthway CEO Eileen Peltier said.

In addition to the 28 studio units at 111 West Housatonic Street and nine units in the rear of the church building, the Housing Resource Center will be open seven days a week with two lounges, a classroom, a laundry room, a bathroom, and lockers.

Erin Forbush, ServiceNet's director of shelter and housing, challenged attendees to transform the space in the basement of Zion Lutheran Church into a community center. It is planned to operate from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. year-round.

"I get calls from folks that want to help out, and our shelters just aren't the right spaces to be able to do that. The First will be that space that we can all come together and work for the betterment of our community," Forbush said.

"…I am a true believer that things evolve, and things here will evolve with the people that are utilizing it."

Earlier that day, Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities Secretary Ed Augustus joined Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll and her team in Housatonic to announce $33.5 million in federal Community Development Block Grant funding, $5.45 million to Berkshire County.

He said it was ambitious to take on these two projects at once, but it will move the needle. The EOHLC contributed more than $7.8 million in subsidies and $3.4 million in low-income housing tax credit equity for the West Housatonic Street build, and $1.6 million in ARPA funds for the First Street apartments.

"We're trying to get people out of shelter and off the streets, but we know there are a lot of people who are couch surfing, who are living in their cars, who are one paycheck away from being homeless themselves," Augustus said.

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