Bakers Island Lighthouse Shines Bright Thanks to Green Mountain Energy Sun Club Sustainability Grant

SALEM, Mass. , June 28, 2024 /CSRwire/ — The historic Bakers Island Light Station at the entrance to Salem Sound is now powered by 100% renewable energy thanks to a $45,000 sustainability grant from the Green Mountain Energy Sun Club. The grant, which was awarded to Essex Heritage in 2020, funded the installation of a 1.83 kW off-grid solar array and battery storage system on the island to generate and store electricity for the lighthouse and two 19 lighthouses^vol-age-old homes of caregivers.

In August 2020, Sun Club® and Essex Heritage virtually celebrated the completion of the project, and its impact since then has been impressive. The lighting station, located a few miles offshore, previously operated entirely off-grid and relied on gas-powered generators. The new solar and battery system provides enough renewable energy to power 110-volt lamps, electrical appliances and power tools to keep the lighthouse and two homes powered year-round.

The Bakers Island project is one of 165 projects to receive a Sun Club® Sustainability Grant. This charitable program of Green Mountain Energy partners with nonprofits on projects focused on renewable energy, energy efficiency, resource conservation and environmental protection. Since its founding in 2002, Sun Club® has provided more than $14 million in funding for projects that have helped nonprofits avoid using 8,500 gallons of fuel, collect 20 million gallons of rainwater, grow 369,000 pounds of produce and generate 25 million kWh of solar energy in communities across the country.

“We were honored to partner with Essex Heritage to fund the installation of their solar panel and battery storage system at the Bakers Island Light Station,” said Johnny Richardson, Green Mountain Energy Sun Club® program manager. “Our grants are made possible through a unique model that brings communities and Green Mountain Energy together to support sustainability solutions with renewable energy at the core of the program.”

Essex Heritage became involved with Bakers Island Light Station over 15 years ago and assumed oversight of the station in 2014 when ownership was transferred from the U.S. Coast Guard to Essex Heritage. Since then, the lighthouse has been restored, the property is maintained, and the public has access to tours of the station.

“The $45,000 Sun Club grant we received has made an incredible difference in our ability to repair and maintain this historic light station using clean solar energy,” said Annie C. Harris, CEO of Essex Heritage. “Not only has it enabled us to make the facility much more comfortable for our guests, but our volunteers who live at the lighthouse throughout the summer can operate power tools and read by lamplight at night. Best of all, they have a refrigerator and a washing machine, so they don’t have to go back to the mainland every few days for food and laundry.”

More information about the project can be found at greenmountainenergy.com. More information about Essex Heritage’s efforts to promote experiences in the Essex National Heritage Area can be found at essexheritage.org.

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About the Green Mountain Energy Sun Club

Green Mountain Energy inspires hope, motivates action through the use of clean energy, and promotes sustainable communities through the work of the Green Mountain Energy Sun Club. Since its founding in 2002, Sun Club® has contributed more than $14 million to 164 projects in Texas and the Northeast. Sun Club collaborates with non-profit organizations on projects focusing on renewable energy sources, energy efficiency, resource conservation and environmental protection. To learn more about Green Mountain Energy and the Sun Club or to apply for a Sun Club grant, visit greenmountain.com/sunclub.

Information about Essex Heritage and the Essex National Heritage Area

Essex Heritage is a nonprofit organization that manages the Essex National Heritage Area by developing programs to enhance, protect and encourage recreation, education, conservation and interpretation projects on Boston’s North Shore and the Lower Merrimack River Valley. The Essex National Heritage Area includes 34 cities and towns in Essex County, Massachusetts. For more information, visit www.EssexHeritage.org or call (978) 740-0444.

Green Mountain Energy media contact

Jeannie Davey
713-537-5735
[email protected]
Twitter: @GreenMtnEnergy

Media Contact Essex Heritage

Cheri Grishin
[email protected]
(Phone number) 978-740-0444