Pear Valley and Solarponics Turn Sunshine into Wine with Solar Implementation
Paso Robles winery leads the way with earth-friendly practices. April 16, 2015 (Paso Robles, California) — Pear Valley Winery, along with Solarponics, has successfully implemented a solar system. It generates more power than the winery comes to use. The system has a new and unique design that serves as a shade structure, is visually appealing, and has many environmental benefits.
“Our intention from the time we began designing the winery was to have the facility powered by solar. With the existing incentives and tax credits available we felt the timing was right to put this final piece of our sustainability plan in place. Finding the right solar partner who was able to implement a system to meet our needs in terms of both size and design was critical. We were delighted to find Solarponics, a local business with 40 years’ experience, was able to work with us to build a custom structure that stands above our equipment and exterior working area of the winery,” said Kathleen Maas, co-owner of Pear Valley.
The solar installation at Pear Valley winery includes 545 American-made SolarWorld panels in two arrays rated at 161.2kW DC. Each of the arrays was implemented as a canopy system, over the exterior working area of the winery, capturing the power of the sun while providing shade for winery equipment and workers. The entire project, including construction, was $769,000. The solar system will offset 100% of the monthly electric needs with a payback of approximately 3.5-4 years — without the government incentive program the payback period would have been closer to 7 years.
The benefits of the solar implementation are far greater than the savings from the energy bill. Each year the system will save 257,766 gallons of water, remove 2,828 pounds of sulfur dioxide, eliminate 1,765 pounds of nitrogen dioxide production, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 491,837 pounds — the equivalent to saving 89,879 trees each year.
“Pear Valley was an exciting project for us. It posed many challenges and opportunities to showcase a sizable energy system, maintain full usefulness of the crush pad, and preserve the aesthetics of the property,” says Kristian Emrich, Solarponics president. “They’re our perfect client, a great model of sustainability, from solar to water conservation to building design and construction,” says Mr. Emrich.
Going solar is the most recent investment by Pear Valley to ensure that their vineyards and winery utilize the most environmentally sound practices to create their estate-grown wines while leaving little impact on the environment.
Additional initiatives include:
- 22 water recharge/water retention pits were cut through the clay/hard pan layers and are used to collect rain water that is naturally filtered through the alluvial soil.
- The winery utilizes an ESBR (Elutriate Systems Bio Reactor) to rapidly and efficiently digest winery wastewater. The wastewater system gravity feeds to the bio reactor and in turn the treated effluent gravity feeds to the irrigation pond that is powered with a wind mill. The treated effluent is then used to irrigate the vineyards.
- 10 soil moisture monitors are installed throughout the vineyard to properly assess irrigation needs, ensuring only the required amount of water is used.
- Pear Valley’s 14,000 square foot winery and 5,000 square foot tasting were designed in partnership with PG&E through their “Savings by Design” program to design buildings that are energy efficient and environmentally sound.
- Pear Valley achieved Sustainability in Practice (SIP) Vineyard Certification in 2012. Attaining SIP Certification demonstrates dedication to vineyard practices that are environmentally sound, socially equitable and economically-viable.
- A small fleet of electric vehicles are used including John Deer gators for vineyard workers, a golf cart for guest transportation during events and staff use, and the Maas’ Tesla for transportation to numerous wine functions — all will be charged with a Tesla 240 volt charger using the new solar system.
Pear Valley and Solarponics invite the public to a sustainability open house on May 7th from 6-8pm at 4900 Union Road, Paso Robles. During the open house, attendees will be able to tour the solar facilities, learn more about the winery’s sustainability projects and talk with Pear Valley’s sustainability partners including Solarponics, John Deere, Tesla and Central Coast Vineyard Team. Wine tasting and live music by Soul Sauce will be offered during the event. The winery will be collecting food donations for the Food Bank and ask that attendees make a contribution.
“We invite other winery and vineyard owners to come and discuss sustainability initiatives with our partners. It is important to us that we all do our part to ensure future generations are able to continue farming and enjoying the beautiful Paso Robles wine country,” stated Tom Maas, co-owner at Pear Valley.
By Lisa Pretty, Pretty Media Creations.