Dutcher Crossing

Winery Solar Electric Installation Project Profile

SolarCraft both designed and built this 33 kW solar electric system for the Dutcher Crossing Winery in Healdsburg, CA. The project integrates both the winery building and Estate House on the property — now powered by the sun.

The system consists of (195) Mitsubishi 170 watt solar panels — both ground and roof mounted. The 2,680 square feet of high capacity solar panels will generate roughly 33 kilowatts peak power. The system will generate enough electricity to virtually eliminate expensive peak-period usage, while also selling excess power back to the local utility company for credit. The credits are sold to the utility company at peak rates and the customer uses them back during nights and winter.

Dutcher Crossing's new solar system generates enough clean electricity each day to power 14 average homes. The new system will spare the air nearly 25 tons of harmful greenhouse gases annually, or 741 tons over the life of the system. Over the next 30 years, the air pollution saved will be equivalent to driving over 1.7 million miles. This is equivalent to planting over 5 acres of trees. The system will pay for itself in approximately 6 years.

Customer Profile

Dutcher Crossing has come to represent an authentic and enjoyable experience for wine-lovers who visit this small winery. Dutcher Crossing Winery was conceived and built by the Nevins and Stevens families following their purchase of the Dry Creek vineyard property in 2001. Proprietor Debra Mathy, who is an environmental enthusiast, joined the Dutcher Crossing Family in March 2007.

The Dutcher Crossing winemaking style is best described as "Hand Crafted". The wines receive the hands-on attention required to produce wines of the exceptional quality that exhibit the intense flavors and character of each varietal.

"Our commitment to improving the environment and sustainable farming practices is extremely important to us at Dutcher Crossing. We are excited to inform our customers that we have recently installed a solar energy system at the winery with the goal of being energy independent. The system was designed by SolarCraft to esthetically blend in to our beautiful natural vineyard surrounding."
~ Jim Stevens, Dutcher Crossing Vineyards