Heated Driveway on Munjoy Hill Reduces Chloride Pollution

A solar-powered heated driveway on Portland’s Munjoy Hill helps reduce chloride pollution and keeps residents safe in wintery weather.

A group of residents living in a Munjoy Hill condo development decided to do something about the steady stream of chloride pollution running from the Hill into Casco Bay each winter. As a final touch on the newly-completed Rifugio project’s stormwater management plan, residents chose to invest in a heated driveway which would be powered by the solar panel system installed by local company ReVision Energy.

Completed in 2024, the heated driveway uses a heated coil system installed under driveway asphalt and brick to maintain a clear and ice-free driveway and walkway without utilizing ice-melting salt (chlorides.) Residents are pleased after the initial investment will pay for itself in roughly 10 years by eliminating the need for yearly snow removal contracts. The additional energy used for the heated driveway, while solar-powered, is a relatively low impact on overall HOA fees. The melted snow and stormwater runoff flows directly into storm drains installed along the driveway.

While the reduction of salt use on the property overall is beneficial to the environment and the group’s bottom line, a surprising benefit has been seen among the dogs in the building who now have a salt-free area to play during the winter months.