Things are looking bright at Zoo New England’s Stone Zoo as the new 725kW solar power array is up and running. This exciting renewable energy project will provide nearly all of the power used by the zoo, reducing carbon emissions and lowering operating costs.
Conservation is the cornerstone of Zoo New England’s mission, and this solar project aligns perfectly with their mission to protect wildlife and the planet. The 1,500-solar panel array was constructed in the existing zoo parking lot to harness the abundant energy of the sun and will provide about 95% of Stone Zoo’s electrical needs. This switch to solar is the equivalent of planting 800 acres of trees or avoiding 700,000 pounds of coal each year.
“The solar canopy project at the Stone Zoo will have a substantial impact on reducing the Zoo’s carbon footprint, while saving money, and serving as an example of solar solutions at work to the Zoo’s many visitors,” Yaniv Kalish, CEO of SolarKal said.
One of the primary goals with this project was to demonstrate the use of this technology with the hundreds of thousands of people that visit Stone Zoo annually. Through this project, the zoo hopes to educate and inspire business and homeowners to use their parking lots and rooftops to help reduce the production of greenhouse gasses.
“We are absolutely thrilled that the solar array project is now complete and generating clean energy. Conservation is the cornerstone of our mission, and this project is in perfect alignment with our work to preserve and protect wildlife and habitats, while creating a more sustainable future for us all,” said John Linehan, President and CEO of Zoo New England. “Nature has great healing capacity and, if given the chance, can be very effective in combating the negative impacts of climate change. This clean energy project and others like it can be part of the climate solution.”
Providing expert solar advice, SolarKal, the leading solar advisory and marketplace for commercial real estate in the U.S., was instrumental in simplifying the transition to solar energy. Solect Energy, a full-service solar developer of 700+ systems in New England, led the design and successful installation of the Zoo’s solar canopy system. Support from both partners was vital to further the zoo’s mission and build a more sustainable world.
“It is not as simple as it seems, we are not solar energy experts by any means,” Mr. Linehan remarked at the ceremony. “I want to thank SolarKal and Solect Energy and recognize these partners for anybody who is thinking about solar. These are great partners to work with all the way through, and they guided us through uncharted waters and really helped us make some complex decisions.”
This project was made possible with the help of State Senator Jason Lewis and State Representative Michael Day, who successfully secured $3 million for the Stone Zoo solar array project in 2021 from the Commonwealth to make this clean energy project happen.
“I’m thrilled to be celebrating the completed solar array project at the Stone Zoo,” said State Senator Jason Lewis. “This new, renewable energy infrastructure is a great way to tackle climate change, help the zoo save money, and provide a wonderful educational opportunity for the many families and young children that visit the zoo each year.”
“Modernizing our energy sources is an essential step to reaching our clean energy goals here in Massachusetts,” said Representative Michael Day. “I was proud to work with my colleagues in the Legislature to secure this funding, and I appreciate the hard work of Zoo New England, Solect Energy, and SolarKal for bringing this idea to fruition.”
The installation of solar panels will help the zoo save on energy costs over time, allowing more resources to be allocated to animal care, educational programs, and conservation efforts. Stone Zoo welcomes visitors to come and see the solar panels in action and learn about the positive impact they are making on the environment.
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About Zoo New England
Zoo New England manages Franklin Park Zoo in Boston and Stone Zoo in Stoneham. Both are accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). Zoo New England’s mission is to inspire people to protect and sustain the natural world for future generations by creating fun and engaging experiences that integrate wildlife and conservation programs, research, and education.
About SolarKal
Since 2016, SolarKal has been helping businesses make the smart switch to solar, streamlining the process from start to finish. Our expert solar advisors harness the power of competition in our proprietary provider marketplace, saving our clients time, money and internal resources.
SolarKal has become the leading solar advisory and marketplace for commercial real estate, working closely with more than 50 commercial real estate companies, publicly traded REITs, Fortune 500 companies, national education organizations, and commercial properties from the East Coast to the West. Learn more at: SolarKal.com
