Kistler Vineyards

Winery Solar Electric Installation Project Profile

With the goal to grow their sustainability, Kistler Vineyards in Sebastopol, Sonoma County, turned to solar power.  Designed and installed by SolarCraft, the 248 kW DC of solar electric power at their Russian River Valley vineyard will cut their electricity costs by over $67,000 annually and reduce their dependency on non-renewable energy sources. Their carbon footprint will be lowered, benefitting their communities as well as their bottom line.

The solar power installation consists of two separate systems. The larger of the two is 194.92 kW and roof mounted on  Kistler’s main building, which will power the winery’s office and business operations. With 443 high-efficiency solar panels, the system is expected to provide over 246,000 kWh of clean, green energy every year.

A second solar system, at 52.8 kW, powers the tasting room and one of the Ag pumps and is ground mounted on a hillside below the tasting room patio. Consisting of 120 solar panels it will provide almost 81,000 kWh of renewable solar energy annually. With a 25-year performance warranty and 40+ year design life on the major system components, this system will be saving Kistler thousands for decades to come.

Customer Profile

Founded in 1978, Kistler Vineyards is a small, family-owned and operated winery specializing in the production of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Their eleven single vineyard Chardonnays and 2 single vineyard Pinot Noirs are from vineyards in Sonoma Coast, Russian River, Sonoma Valley and on over to Carneros in Napa.

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