Beverly's Green High School

The newly renovated Beverly High School, which reopened in April, now serves as a lesson in energy efficiency, renewable energy and green building to its more than 1,200 students.

While school, state and local officials gathered to celebrate completion of the new building this fall, including a new 83 kilowatt (kW) rooftop solar array, Beverly’s commitment to renewable energy dates back 30 years. In 1981, the school’s ground mounted solar panel field began generating electricity and is the oldest solar panel system sited at a school in the United States. MassCEC provided funding to help repair the 100 kW system so it could continue to provide electricity for the school.

“The site stands as an historical technological monument to the durability of solar power,” notes Fred Hopps, the Site Director of Greenergy Park.

In addition to renewable energy, the high school took numerous energy efficient measures in its renovation to increase cost-savings for the city. Builders incorporated terrazzo floors, which can withstand foot traffic better and require less maintenance than other materials, and classrooms were designed to maximize natural light to reduce electricity use. In addition, the new school has better temperature control in classrooms, and a more efficient central heating system.