Maple Hill Farms
Halowell, Maine
Solar Thermal and PV
Section 9006 Grant: $41,500
2005
Maple Hill Farm is a historic farmstead and Inn located near Augusta, the state capital. The inn has been focused on reducing its environmental impact since installing a 10 kw wind turbine in 2003. In 2005, the Inn was awarded Maine’s first-ever Green Lodging Certification.
In 2006, Maple Hill furthered its commitment to renewable energy by installing the largest combined solar hot water and solar photovoltaic system in the state of Maine. The system will supply most of the Inn’s hot water needs and, combined with the wind turbine, one half of its electric power.
Maple Hill is demonstrating that solar energy can be a viable investment for small businesses, even in New England. With the high cost of heating oil and electricity there, the owners anticipate a payback of around five years.
Scott Cowger, co-owner of Maple Hill Farm said, “ the funding provided by USDA was key to this project moving forward, and we are grateful for its support of this commercial-scale renewable energy project.”