Harpswell Lobster Wharf
First Solar in Nation
The Potts Harbor Lobster Company on the Reversing Falls Lobster Wharf in Harpswell. The photovoltaic solar panels make it the firstsolar powered wharf in Maine. Everything at the wharf is powered by the panel on the roof. Jim Merriman Photo.
The Potts Harbor Lobster Company on the Reversing Falls Lobster Wharf (Formerly Bibben’s Wharf) in Harpswell installed 44 (30” x 60”) photovoltaic solar panels in September. The owner Jim Merriman believes the power system makes it the only solar powered lobster wharf in the country, operating 100% on renewable energy. It’s Maine first commercial working waterfront facility to be grid-tied.
This 10KW system is expected to produce over 13,000 kilowatt hours of clean, reliable electricity a year. By reducing the amount of electricity made from traditional fossil fuels this system is able to keep over 20,000 pounds of CO2 from entering into our atmosphere each year. This is equivalent to the 1020 gallons of gasoline or 21 barrels of oil. The complete cutover process will take about 4 years. Everything on the wharf (pumps, refrigeration, etc.) will be powered by solar energy. Potts Harbor Lobster has been working with Revision Energy for nearly two years on studying the feasibility of the project, designing the roof to handle the panels, which were installed on September 10th.
Merriman, lobster fishing since he was 8 years old, called the project “neat and unique”. The wharf was purchased through the Land For Maine’s Future Project. Merriman buys from local boats and ships lobster as far as Vermont and New York. Potts Harbor Lobster is located at 248 Ash Point Road in Harpswell, ME. pottsharborlobster1@myfairpoint.net