Grgich Hills Estate
The Challenge
Grgich Hills Estate is known for its dedication to sustainable viniculture. Since 2000, they’ve organically farmed all five vineyards. In 2006, they converted all 366 acres to biodynamic farming, making them the largest biodynamic grape grower in America. So it made perfect sense for the Grgich family to embrace solar energy as the solution to all their electricity needs. The peak season for power
consumption is summer, those 4 to 5 months when electricity is most expensive. And every year the cost of electricity keeps going up.
The Solution
SPG Solar designed a 142 kW solar PV system, comprised of 860 solar panels, to take advantage of peak demand periods, California’s Net Energy Metering (NEM) program, and the utility’s time-of-use schedule. The roof-mounted, grid-tied system supplies all the energy the winery needs in a renewable, pollution-free way.
The system connects to the local power grid to take advantage of California’s Net Energy Metering (NEM) which credits Grgich Hills for all surplus electricity sent back onto the grid. When the system produces more electricity than the winery uses, the electric meter spins backwards, earning Grgich credit. At night or on rainy days, the utility grid provides the power, and Grgich taps into its electricity credit bank.
Noteworthy Achievements
- International Best of Wine Tourism Awards – Global Winner for Sustainable Wine Tourism Practices
The Benefits
SPG’s system for Grgich Hills has completely eliminated the winery’s annual electric bill. It will pay for itself in five years, and, by using the energy generated on site, plus the utility credits for excess electricity fed back onto the grid, the winery is insulated from utility energy price hikes.
The Green Line
The 142 kW Grgich Hills solar PV system prevents 335,103 lbs. of carbon dioxide from being emitted into the atmosphere annually by a fossil-fuel power plant. It takes 415 acres of rainforest to store this much CO2. This is equivalent to offsetting 17,312 gallons of gasoline or 354 barrels of oil.
