by Leanna Bonds

Jane Goodall, who passed away last week, leaves an incredible legacy of compassion for the Earth, its animals, and its people. She once said “Every day you live, you make an impact on the planet. You can’t help making an impact, and you have a choice as to what sort of impact you make.”

At ReVision Energy, we’re choosing to make an impact every day by helping families, businesses, and communities transition to clean solar energy. Solar energy is a proven climate solution and a powerful way to move away from polluting fossil fuels toward a healthier planet.

This fall, as you enjoy everything New England has to offer – apple-picking, pumpkin-carving, leaf-peeping – consider supporting local businesses and organizations that share these values. Choose places that care about our planet and have made the switch to solar. Together, we can honor Jane Goodall’s legacy and make a positive impact on the world around us.

Solar-Powered Places to Go & Things to Do this Fall

Maine:

• Wolfe’s Neck Farm’s Fall Festival (Freeport) is always a fun time for the whole family. Make sure to check out their rooftop arrays on the Pote House Barn and Dairy Barn.
• McDougal Orchards (Sanford) is a favorite apple-picking (and cider donut) spot amongst our southern Maine co-owners. Next year will be their 10-year Solarversary – we installed a 20 kW array for them in 2016!
• Looking for pumpkins instead? Swing by Harris Dairy Farm (Dayton) for PYO Pumpkins and make sure to scout their XC ski trails for a winter return.
• If you’re farther north, check out The Apple Farm in Fairfield – open 7 days a week, with a solar array generating 25,000 kWh of clean energy a year.
• A farm stand hop is always a good choice. Check out Six River Farm (Bowdoinham) and Two Coves Farm (Harpswell) for a wide variety of fall fruits and veggies.

New Hampshire:

• Just across the border in Milton, NH we recommend a double-header: learn about heirloom apples at Branch Hill Farm (you can also enjoy their great hiking trails), and then head across town to pick your own at McKenzie’s Farm (and snag a cider donut).
• Other great solar-powered markets in the Granite State include Emery Farm (Durham) and the Temple-Wilton Community Farm (Wilton).
• Sanborn Mills Farm (Loudon) has solar on four different buildings, offsetting 100% of their energy needs, and is offering a guided fall trail hike on October 16th.

Massachusetts:

• We’ve done multiple solar projects with Farmer Dave’s (Dracut), and they know how to do fall right – apple picking, wagon rides, a pumpkin patch and corn maze, and food trucks on the weekend. Afterwards we recommend stopping by Shaw Farm (Dracut) for solar-powered ice cream!
• If you’re less into apple-picking and just want a nice place to walk and admire the changing colors, check out Mass Audubon Drumlin Farm (Lincoln; you can charge your EV while you walk), Boston Nature Center (Mattapan; they’re hosting a fall mushroom walk), or Franklin Land Trust (Shelburne).

At ReVision Energy, we believe that clean energy projects should do more than generate power; they should inspire communities and create opportunities for learning. This is why we’ve been so excited to partner with Franklin Cummings Tech on their solar project.

Sustainability, Education, Impact

When Jen Stevenson Zepeda, our Commercial Solar Consultant, saw the Request for Proposals (RFP) issued by Leggat McCall Properties, she jumped on it immediately. A key part of the RFP involved student engagement, which Jen is passionate about. We were thrilled to win the bid and immediately began work on both the system design and educational components.  

“I love it when what we do at ReVision intersects with an opportunity to engage people in a meaningful way, especially when it is with students,” says Jen. “If our involvement in this solar project can spark an interest in a career in renewable energy, or even awareness of energy choices and their environmental impact, then it is a win. To achieve a just and equitable energy transition, we need to get more people on board.”

On November 6, students from Franklin Cummings Tech visited our headquarters for an immersive learning experience at the ReVision Energy Training Center (RETC). The students, who are enrolled in an Engineering Technology program with an emphasis in EV, Mechatronics, and Renewable Energy, experienced a variety of hands-on demonstrations from ReVision’s employee-owners. They reviewed plan sets, learned how to build a circuit, watched a Helioscope design demo, and took a tour of our warehouse and flat rooftop array. After a harness safety demo, they clipped in and headed up to our training center’s mock roof. 

“I can’t think of a better way to drum up interest than showcasing the incredible depth of knowledge and experience of my co-owners,” says Jen. “I hope everyone had as much fun at our training center as I did!”

Franklin Cummings Tech ‘s solar system will be a 57 kW ballasted array and will produce an estimated 62,000 kWh in the first year. We started with an initial layout based on the architectural design set and then worked with GC Dellbrook to secure approvals and provide input on conduit sizing and placement.

“We were all thoroughly impressed by the inspiring company story from co-founder and engineer Fortunat Mueller, and his discussion with our students about his company mission, vision, and the commitment to safety and sustainability besides his very wise words about professionalism and flexibility,” said Basma Mewafy, Assistant Professor of Renewable Energy Technology at Franklin Cummings Tech. “The opportunity to visit the facilities and learn about the intricacies of the energy sector was an invaluable experience for everyone involved. The insights gained during this visit have significantly enriched our students’ understanding of the energy industry and its vital role in our society. It is one thing to learn about these concepts in a classroom, but another entirely to witness them firsthand. We are confident that this experience will have a lasting impact on our students as they continue their academic and professional journeys.”

NESEA ProTour Highlights Community

The project was also featured in a Northeast Sustainable Energy Association (NESEA) ProTour in November. ReVision sponsored the event in Roxbury, which highlighted how sustainability, equity, and innovation intersect in the built environment. Attendees toured Franklin Cummings Tech’s new 68,000-square-foot campus in Nubian Square, which reflects their mission: providing affordable technical education to a predominantly BIPOC and first-generation college student body while serving as a catalyst for community revitalization.

“Listening to the various architects and teams share how this project – and the final building itself – has been designed to be a community resource from construction through completion was so inspiring,” says ReVision’s Community Engagement Coordinator Lydia Berry. “Seriously, every aspect of this project was designed to uplift the school’s community. I am so proud that we are part of this project and can’t wait to see how the rest of construction progresses!”

Interested in solar + education for your school? Get in touch with our commercial design team. 

ReVision Energy proudly announces the successful completion of a rooftop solar energy project on Coast of Maine production facility in Downeast Maine. Coast of Maine is a company dedicated to producing organic & natural, high-quality, sustainable gardening products.

“This partnership is particularly meaningful because of the alignment of our origins and missions,” said Tina Meserve, Commercial Sales Consultant at ReVision Energy. “Coast of Maine Organics was founded on the belief that organic practices are not only good business but essential for a healthy planet. Similarly, ReVision Energy began as two friends in a Maine garage with a vision to build a healthier, sustainable world through solar power. Today, both companies stand as leaders in their respective fields.”

The decision by Coast of Maine to invest in solar energy represents a major step toward environmental stewardship and operational efficiency. By installing 75 solar panels, the company will offset an impressive 38,000 pounds of carbon emissions annually, the equivalent to charging 4,452 cell phones every day for a year.

“We are excited to take this step toward sustainability and reducing our environmental impact,” said Erik Drake, CEO at Coast of Maine Brands. “Partnering with ReVision Energy aligns perfectly with our mission to care for the planet while delivering premium products. This project strengthens our long-term vision to grow sustainably — grow together, and it marks another important milestone in our ongoing journey to build a healthier future for our communities and the environment.”

The 33-kilowatt system will supply 36% of the company’s electricity needs, delivering a simple payback in just four years. Beyond that, the array will generate clean, low-cost energy for decades, resulting in an estimated $218,000 in lifetime savings. This project not only reduces the company’s carbon footprint but also reinforces its commitment to sustainability and long-term resilience.

“This is a tremendous achievement and one that Coast of Maine should be very proud of,” Meserve added. “We are thrilled to welcome them into our solar champion community.”