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The Hood River Middle School Music and Science Building recently received , which qualifies energy efficiency after occupancy. The certification, issued by Seattle-based International Living Future Institute, takes into account multiple factors related to energy performance and conservation.

The 6,887-square-foot building, designed by Opsis Architecture, has a 35-kilowatt photovoltaic installation and conserves energy through a , said Heather DeGrella, the firm’s sustainability team leader.

The building produces about 2 percent more energy than it uses, according to project team member Interface Engineering.

Students played a key role in the certification first by turning off lights when not in use and reducing energy usage, but also by keeping track of the building’s energy usage on a computer dashboard, DeGrella said.

“The key takeaway is that all of these systems are proven, but to get a really efficient building, you have to use a combination of all the different systems working together,” she said.

Kirby Nagelhout Construction of Bend was the contractor for the $1.7 million project, which received a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design platinum rating.

The building achieved net zero energy usage two previous years; however, DeGrella said that navigation of the formal certification process – including a $1,750 application fee, an audit and third-party review – was not pursued until recently.

Opsis also designed the only other building in Oregon to receive Net Zero Energy Building Certification. The Pringle Creek Painters Hall, a community center in Salem, was honored in 2013.