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Renewable Energy

We're leading the way in renewable energy with innovative solar projects. At Stone Zoo, our solar array supplies 95% of the Zoo’s energy needs with clean, renewable power. At Franklin Park Zoo, two Smartflower solar panel systems use advanced robotics to track the sun, generating 40% more energy than traditional systems. 

Geothermal-Powered Penguin Exhibit

Franklin Park Zoo’s new African Penguin Coast exhibit will be sustainably powered by a geothermal energy system, a green solution that harnesses the Earth’s heat to provide efficient heating and cooling with minimal carbon emissions and significant cost savings.

This geothermal system will regulate the penguin pool’s water temperature year-round, offsetting the carbon impact of a traditional heating and cooling system that would require 45 tons of energy. It will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 30-50%, cutting approximately 40 to 60 metric tons of CO₂ annually. 

These bold, eco-friendly measures will help Massachusetts reach its goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 85% by 2050, making a splash in both conservation and sustainability!

Read more about the African Experience, our state-of-the-art integrated habitat opening in spring 2026.

Smartflower Solar Panel Systems

Renewable energy is in full bloom at Franklin Park Zoo! Guests will see renewable energy in motion as two Smartflower solar panel systems harness the sun’s energy to generate sustainable energy for the Zoo.

Our 16-by-16-foot Smartflowers model actual sunflowers both in form and function. Using advanced robotics and automation, the unit’s 12 “petals” freely track and follow the sun so they’re always at an optimal angle. Each day at sunset, the Smartflower automatically folds up and cleans itself using brushes on the back of each panel to remove contaminates like dust or snow. These smart designs increase the unit’s efficiency and enable the system to generate 40 percent more energy than a traditional system.

Our Smartflowers generate approximately 5,000 kilowatts of electricity annually, enough to generate the majority of the energy needed annually to power the Zoo’s carousel.

Stone Zoo Solar Array

Stone Zoo has completed a $3 million solar energy project in its parking lot, now providing 95% of the Zoo's energy needs with 100% clean, renewable solar power. This switch eliminates the equivalent of burning 700,000 pounds of coal annually—comparable to planting 800 acres of trees!

Stone Zoo also provides an electric vehicle charging station as a sustainable travel option alongside this project.