St. Helena Winery Goes Solar
Novato-based SolarCraft announced today that they completed design & installation of an 87 kW solar electric system for Ballentine Vineyards in St. Helena, CA. The project integrates both the winery building/tasting room and barrel storage on the property — now powered by the sun.
The new system enables Ballentine Vineyards to generate enough clean electricity each day to power 60 average homes. The new system will spare the air nearly 67 tons of harmful greenhouse gases annually. Over the next 30 years, the air pollution saved will be equivalent to driving over 4.6 million miles. The system will pay for itself in approximately 6 years.
The 6,944 square feet of high capacity solar panels generate roughly 87 kilowatts peak power, providing 100% of the vineyard's electricity needs on an annual basis for the winery's operations.
"Our main reason for installing a PV system is to eliminate our high electric bills. We are now utilizing clean energy to reduce our costs," said Van Ballentine, owner of Ballentine Vineyards. "Solar energy makes good financial sense and the environmental benefits are an added bonus. The installation went very smoothly, and we are very pleased with the placement and aesthetics of the system. SolarCraft exceeded our expectations."
"We are very pleased to have been selected by Ballentine Vineyards to design and build their solar energy system," says Chris Bunas, VP Solar Electric Division for SolarCraft. "They join our growing family of wine industry clientele."
SolarCraft was selected to design and install the project because of the company's reputation and over two decades of longevity in the marketplace, as well as for their groundbreaking design.
About Ballentine Vineyards
Van Ballentine grew up in St. Helena — Ballentine Vineyard's roots run very deep in Napa Valley. Ballentine owns 100 acres of vines spread among the Crystal Springs Vineyard at the base of Howell Mountain, Pocai Ranch between the Napa River and the Silverado Trail and the Home Vineyard at the winery. Ballentine focuses on red varietals; Zinfandel, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Syrah. The grapes used for their wines are all 100% estate grown.
Van Ballentine personally manages each vineyard.
