North Bay Wine Importer Turns to Solar, Cuts Power Bill
Novato and Sonoma based SolarCraft announced the completion of a 20 kW solar electric system at Martine's Wines in Novato, CA. An importer and wholesaler of exceptional foreign wines, Martine's Wines is now utilizing clean solar power and saving thousands in utility fees every year.
Designed and installed by SolarCraft, the solar photovoltaic system is roof mounted and consists of 66 Canadian Solar 305-watt solar panels, spanning nearly 1,365 square feet. The system's solar panels convert sunlight directly into electricity and are expected to generate approximately 29,436 kilowatt hours of emissions-free electricity each year, reducing their PG&E bills by 94% and providing clean energy to their warehouse facility.
"My warehouse is specially designed for the storage of wines. I need 24 hours a day refrigeration and therefore a lot of electric power," said Martine's Wines founder, Martine Saunier. "Where we are located in Novato, it is very sunny all year round. It was a reasonable decision to install solar panels on the roof with a reputable company such as SolarCraft."
By installing solar, a cost-effective and sustainable energy solution, Martine's Wines can expect to eventually save hundreds of thousands of dollars in energy costs over the life of the system, and recoup the cost of installing the system in 7 years.
The new solar power system will allow Martine's Wines to generate enough electricity to power 9 average homes and will avoid production of almost 577 tons of carbon dioxide emissions per year, which is the equivalent of removing 1.8 million miles of driving over the next 25 years. That's also comparable to the air pollution removed by over 9.9 acres of trees.
About Martine's Wines
Martine Saunier started her business in 1979 because she couldn't find anything exceptional to drink. In doing so, she became the first woman to import wines into the United States. Ms. Saunier is known to oenophiles everywhere as the woman who discovered Henri Jayer, Château Rayas and Denis Mortet, and is credited for introducing Domaine Leroy to the United States market. In December 2012, the celebrated wine importer and wholesaler came under a new generation of ownership. The new company will continue doing business as Martine's Wines, and Ms. Saunier will remain on board with the new owners.
