Renewable Energy - Leading the Way in the Berkshires

The Zephyr at Jiminy Peak reclines against an overcast sky.

When Governor Patrick was in Pittsfield last month at a meeting hosted by the Berkshire Visitors Bureau, the conversation turned to eco-tourism and the exciting potential for the Berkshires to become known as a "green" destination.

When Mike Supranowicz spoke at the Chamber breakfast in June he talked about the intriguing possibility of renewable energy becoming an economic driver for the Berkshires and of the region becoming a leader in green technologies.

And, as it turns out, we are well on our way already.

Manufacturing and Job Creation
Did you know that Morrison Berkshire in North Adams fabricated the 115 ft. tower for the wind turbine installed at the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers building in Boston - now an icon as you drive south out of Boston on the Southeast Expressway, Route I-93? And, there is news about converting land owned by Crane and Company into an energy park, with plans by Berkshire Biodiesel to construct a biodiesel plant and Tamarack Energy to build a biomass facility on the property located in Pittsfield and Dalton.

Design and Installation Contractors
Did you know that we have several companies in the Berkshires that install solar energy systems to generate electricity and heat your water? Chris Derby Kilfoyle of Berkshire Photovoltaic Services (BPVS) in Adams and Jim Sherratt of Sun Energy in Pittsfield have been installing systems for decades. BPVS recently installed a large solar array to generate clean power at the Moomaw's net zero energy home in Williamstown. Craig Robertson of Heliocentrix in Williamstown, specializing in vacuum tube technology for solar hot water and Carter Wilding White of Solar Works in Lee have each installed several systems in the region. Chris Vreeland of Precision Decisions has designed several systems in the area, including the solar photovoltaic (PV) system recently installed on Lenox High School.Chris has also conducted several of the Center for Ecological Technology's (CET) informational workshops about solar and wind power for standing-room only crowds as the interest in renewable energy increases daily.

Solar and Wind Installations
Jiminy Peak leads the way in renewable energy investment by installing a 1.5 megawatt wind turbine at their resort in Hancock. Brian Fairbank was motivated by escalating electricity costs and a good, windy site to investigate the potential for wind power at their site. And now they are a leader in the region and in the nation - as the first to install a wind turbine at a ski resort.

Many businesses investing in energy efficiency and solar power to reduce their use of polluting fuels are finding that becoming a "green" business has marketing value. To name a few, the Topia Inn, newly opened in Adams, highlights green features ranging from natural building materials to solar roof tiles in its marketing. Located on the Ashuwillticook bike trail, they can even provide guests with low-impact (and fun) recreational opportunities. The Barrington Brewery in Great Barrington recently installed a solar hot water system, and may soon be marketing solar brewed beer from the Berkshires. And, Howden Farm in Sheffield, an historic B&B and pumpkin farm has been enjoying solar energy for over a year generated by a PV system ground-mounted on poles at the edge of their fields.

The Berkshires are poised to become a leader in creating a renewable energy future - a future that holds countless benefits for our businesses, our natural environment, our visitors and our residents-today and in years to come.

For information about renewable energy and financial incentives for businesses, contact CET at 413-445-4556 or send an email to Nancy Nylen.