Historic Salem Lighthouse Gets Brighter With Solar Grant

SALEM, MA — The historic Salem Lighthouse is using new, eco-friendly technology to light its way across the ocean.

The 200-year-old Bakers Island Lighthouse is now powered by solar energy and stored in batteries thanks to a $45,000 grant from the Green Mountain Energy Sun Club.

The 2020 grant was awarded by Essex Heritage, and the installation’s completion ceremony took place amid the COVID-19 health crisis.

The Light Station, located a few miles offshore, previously operated completely off the grid, relying on gasoline-powered generators. The new solar and battery system provides enough renewable energy for 110-volt lights, electrical appliances and power tools to power the lighthouse and two homes year-round.

Since its founding in 2002, Sun Club has donated more than $14 million to projects that have helped nonprofit organizations save 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 for 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 sustainable development solutions that put renewable energy at the heart of the program.”

Essex Heritage took over the operation 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 lighthouse 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. “It has not only allowed 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 the light of the lamp at night.

“The best thing is that they have a fridge and a washing machine, so they don’t have to go back to the mainland every few days for food and laundry.”

(Scott Souza is Patch’s field editor, covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at [email protected]. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)