Local lighthouse shines, thanks to Green Mountain Energy Sun Club

Sponsored and provided by Green Mountain Energy

The historic Bakers Island Light Station at the entrance of Salem Sound currently runs on 100 percent renewable energy, thanks to a $45,000 sustainability grant from Green Mountain Energy Sun Club. This charitable program is supported through NRG Energy Inc.'s renewable energy brand Green Mountain Energy.

The grant, which was provided to Essex Heritage in 2020, funded the installation of an off-grid 1.83-kilowatt solar array and battery storage system on the island to generate and store electricity for the lighthouse and two 19th-century keepers' houses.

Sun Club® and Essex Heritage virtually celebrated the project completion in August 2020, and the impact since has been impressive. The Light Station, located several miles offshore, previously operated completely off the grid with reliance on gasoline-powered generators. The new solar and battery system provides enough renewable energy for 110-volt lights, electric appliances, and power tools to keep the lighthouse and two houses powered year-round. 

The Bakers Island project is one of the 165 projects to receive a sustainability grant from Sun Club®. This Green Mountain Energy charitable program collaborates with nonprofit organizations on projects that focus on renewable energy, energy efficiency, resource conservation, and environmental stewardship. Since its founding in 2002, Sun Club® has donated more than $14 million to projects that have helped nonprofits avoid 8,500 gallons of fuel, capture 20 million gallons of rainwater, grow 369,000 pounds of produce, and generate 25 million kWh of solar electricity in communities across the nation.

"We were honored to collaborate with Essex Heritage and fund the installation of their solar panel system and battery storage for Bakers Island Light Station," said Johnny Richardson, program manager for Green Mountain Energy Sun Club®. "Our grants are made possible thanks to a one-of-a-kind model that links communities and Green Mountain Energy together to support sustainability solutions with renewable energy at the heart of the program."

Essex Heritage became involved in the Bakers Island Light Station more than 15 years ago and took over stewardship of the station in 2014 when the deed 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 visit the light 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 with clean solar power energy," said Annie C. Harris, chief executive officer for Essex Heritage. "It has not only enabled us to make the property much more comfortable for our visitors, but our volunteers keepers, who live at the lighthouse all summer, can run power tools and read by lamp light at night. Best of all they have refrigeration and a washing machine so they don't need to return to the mainland every few days for food and laundry."

To learn more about the project, visit greenmountainenergy.com. For more information about Essex Heritage's efforts to promote experiences in the Essex National Heritage Area, visit essexheritage.org.