STOCKBRIDGE, MASS. – April 7, 2025 — Berkshire Botanical Garden has taken a significant step toward sustainability with the installation of a state-of-the-art solar panel array. The new system, which includes 102 solar panels on the roof of BBG’s Education Building, will go online in the coming weeks.
“Berkshire Botanical Garden has been a valuable environmental resource in our region since our founding in 1934,” said BBG Executive Director Mike Beck. “As an organization that shares information about sustainability, it is vitally important that our operating systems are as environmentally sound as possible, to set an example for our visitors and the larger community.”
The $121,000 project was paid for through a generous $45,132 matching grant from Tern Foundation’s TernSOLAR Challenge Grant Program. BBG raised $45,132 from individual donations. The remainder of the project costs will be offset through a 30 percent IRS credit.
Tern Foundation’s TernSOLAR challenge grant program is designed to expand renewable energy use in Massachusetts communities, making solar technology more accessible to nonprofit organizations. Grants are offered to dynamic nonprofits whose leaders engage creatively with their communities and also consider future generations and the natural environment in their strategic priorities and sustainability planning. Since 2010 Tern Foundation has funded over 30 solar projects and associated environmental education initiatives.
A utility interconnection agreement with utility provider National Grid will allow any excess electrical production to offset electrical use throughout BBG’s grounds and buildings. Once the panels go online, they will generate power to offset more than 67 percent of BBG’s current electricity use, in a carbon neutral way. BBG will realize about $13,000 in annual savings, at current electricity prices.
Beck said the presence of an on-site photovoltaic array can serve as a powerful tool for educating and inspiring BBG’s 40,000 annual visitors about the benefits of carbon-neutral, renewable energy. The solar panel array’s location is at the hub of much of BBG’s adult and youth educational programming, including the Horticulture Certificate Program, the spring and summer Farm in the Garden youth day camps, the annual Mother’s Day weekend plant sale, the mid-summer Grow Show, the fall Harvest Festival, and December’s Holiday Marketplace.
In celebration of its newly installed solar panels, BBG has partnered with the Berkshire International Film Festival (BIFF) to present the 2025 Solar Film Forum on Sunday, April 13, at BBG.
The festival will kick off at 11 a.m. with a selection of short documentary films centered on agrivoltaics, including “Pastures and Panels,” “Harvesting the Sun,” and “Sunshine Synergy: Agrivoltaics with BlueWave.” Attendees will enjoy a complimentary lunch followed by the screening of “Common Ground,” a documentary that emphasizes regenerative farming practices. The screening will be followed by a panel discussion exploring the relationship between agrivoltaics and regenerative farming in promoting sustainable agricultural methods. The day will include a biodynamic wine and cheese reception at 3:30 p.m. sponsored by Dare Bottleshop & Provisions. Visit BerkshireBotanical.org/FilmFestival for more information.
Berkshire Botanical Garden is located at 5 West Stockbridge Rd, in Stockbridge, Mass. For more information, visit BerkshireBotanical.org.
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