"It is encouraging to see private companies such as Mount Eden
Vineyards take action to generate their own power and improve our
environment."
- Akeena President Barry Cinnamon
Los Gatos, California - August 18, 2004 [SolarAccess.com]
Mount Eden Vineyards made the shift to a 100 percent solar power system for the
winery's electric needs after Akeena Solar sold them on the other benefits of
power from the sun. Mount Eden owner Jeffrey Patterson said he hadn't considered
a solar photovoltaic (PV) array to run the winery's production facilities, main
offices, laboratory and residences until Akeena contacted him.
"The State of California is drastically short of electrical generating
capacity," Akeena President Barry Cinnamon said. "It is encouraging to
see private companies such as Mount Eden Vineyards take action to generate their
own power and improve our environment."
The winery is about 2,000 feet up Mount Eden, and is the oldest winery in the
Santa Cruz Mountains. Every year the vintner produces 5,000 cases of cabernet
sauvignon, pinot noir and chardonnay from the 40 acres of grapes planted on his
200-acre property. Solar PV arrays were placed next to one of the vineyards, and
supply 20 kW of energy that the winery previously bought from Pacific Gas &
Electric (PG&E). The system is wired into Mount Eden's existing electric
service, and allows the vintner to run its electric meter backwards during the
summer months.
"With the amount of area available for the system at Mount Eden Vineyards,
we certainly could have installed a much larger solar power system," said
Cinnamon. "However, our engineering and financial analyses indicated that a
20kW system would be optimal for their historic and planned electrical needs.
Since PG&E will not reimburse their customers for excess power produced on
an annual basis, designing a system with overcapacity is just wasted money for
our customers -- not to mention free power for PG&E."
There are three tax incentives for businesses that install solar electric
systems in California. First is a 15 percent state tax credit against the cost
of the system. Second is a 10 percent Federal tax credit. Third is a five year
accelerated depreciation that applies to the final cost of the system. These
incentives, when combined with the California's rebate program, bring cash
paybacks on these systems down to approximately five years.
"From an environmental point of view, the basic nature of solar power, plus
the combination of incentives we will receive from the State of California and
Federal government , and, from my viewpoint as a businessman, the estimated cost
savings over the life of the system made the decision a 'no brainer,' "
said Patterson.
Akeena Solar designs and installs residential and commercial solar electric
systems in California, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania. The company is a
member of the Solar Energy Industry Association, Northern California Solar
Energy Association and California Solar Energy Industry Association (Cal SEIA).
The company also has contracts with vinters Cooper-Garrod and Savannah Chanelle
to install PV systems for their sites
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