By Brayden Haley ’25
Amid a new year, bringing many changes to the BHS community, we have encountered recent additions (and subtractions) such as the “Panther Pride” banners outside and the destruction of almost all of the vintage solar panels from the 1981 solar field. However, the debut of our solar canopies in the cafeteria parking lot has been the development capturing our attention.
Although construction began in early July, the second canopy is still being assembled as of right now. These newly added canopies are capable of generating 4.3 kilowatts each, which are used to give the school additional energy. So far, Worcester is the only city with a solar canopy above its parking lot in Massachusetts, with BHS becoming the second. As a result of this project, our community will avoid the carbon emission equivalent of 390,000 gallons of gas and the equivalent of sequestering carbon from 4,000 acres of forest. They will be able to protect hundreds of cars from snow and rain, as well as being able to provide shade during the spring and summer months.
In addition to these solar canopies, the school is also focused on installing a new, improved array of solar panels where the old ones were taken down. The solar panels that have been recently removed were the first panels to be established at a school in 1981, as a result of increased support by former President Jimmy Carter for more renewable energy sources. The high school was one of only eight sites around the country to have these.
All in all, the decision to implement these upgrades on our school property will be highly beneficial for the environment and us students. Whether they are saving money or reducing the quantity of harmful pollutants added to the air, they still have a significant impact on how things will carry out on the high school campus.
Source: https://www.beverlyma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/3311/Fall2022_SolarUpdate_BHS?bidId=
