North Bay Non-Profit Goes Green
Novato and Sonoma-based SolarCraft announced the completion of a 71.8 kW solar electric system at WineBev Services in Napa CA, a social enterprise of United Cerebral Palsy of the North Bay. The photovoltaic system will provide enormous savings for its facility for decades to come.
The solar power system is roof-mounted using a Panel Claw ballasted mounting system and consists of 252 SunTech 285-watt panels, spanning over 5,269 square feet. The system powers two tenant offices, as well as WineBev Services, an UCP employment program for adults with disabilities that provides packaging services to many local retail applications.
SolarCraft offers unique financing options specifically for non-profits, which eliminates high upfront costs. The finance payments are typically less than paying PG&E, so the projects are saving money immediately.
"UCP of the North Bay has joined the growing number of businesses committed to the long-term environmental sustainability of Napa County," said Margaret Farman, Executive Director, UCP of the North Bay. "Our business, WineBev Services, provides packaging services for the wine industry and other business partners while employing people with disabilities at market-rate wages. WineBev is now supplied with solar energy thanks to SolarCraft, the Gasser Foundation and Sustainable Napa County. The completion of this collaborative project marks another important milestone for our agency as we strive to increase employment opportunities for people with disabilities so they may achieve a 'life without limits'."
The system's solar panels convert sunlight directly into electricity and are expected to generate approximately 102,630 kilowatt hours of energy annually. The new solar energy system allows United Cerebral Palsy to generate enough electricity each day to power over 31 average homes. It will spare the air nearly 45 tons of harmful greenhouse gases annually. Over the next 30 years, the air pollution saved will be equivalent to eliminating over 3 million miles of driving.
About United Cerebral Palsy of the North Bay
UCP of the North Bay is a locally run, non-profit organization. As an affiliate of UCP serving Sonoma, Napa and Solano Counties, they provide services for children and adults with disabilities and their families living in Northern California. In addition to Cypress School in Petaluma for ages 5-22 and recreation services, UCP operates WineBev Services and Gone For Good; UCP of the North Bay businesses that provide employment and career training for adults with disabilities.
