New England recently increased its green energy use with construction of the region's largest privately owned solar energy park, which is on a plateau more than a half a mile from a nearby road.

Fifth-grade students from Shady Hill School in Cambridge were the first to see how the sun's energy is being converted for use at Westford Solar Park, according to the Boston Globe.

Cali Johnston, an 11-year-old student whose father is a principal at the firm that built the solar system, was amazed at the size of the park.

"I knew it was going to be a giant site but when I saw it, it was so much bigger than I had ever imagined," Johnston told the Globe. "It was incredible.”

The solar construction has not yet been completed, but the 22-acre site is expected to produce 5.2 million kilowatt hours of electricity, which will produce 4.5 megawatts of energy, or enough to power more than 600 homes, the newspaper stated. The complex cost Massachusetts $20 million and is a prime example of Governor Deval Patrick's commitment to developing clean energy sources.

Walmart stores in Massachusetts are also embracing solar. According to a separate article in the Globe, 27 Walmarts in the state will receive solar installations, which are expected to produce 10.5 megawatts.