Duke Energy and Firestone Walker Brewing Company have completed one of the largest on-site solar arrays in the craft beer industry – a 2.1-MW solar array and 281-kW solar carport on 9.7 acres in Paso Robles, California.
The arrays will generate the majority of the brewery’s energy, which is enough to brew and bottle 6 million cases of beer annually.
“REC Solar and Duke Energy Renewables have been solid partners throughout this process. They helped us unlock our vision for ‘beer brewed with sunshine,’ and methodically executed the complex entitlements, engineering and installation of the array. It was as painless a process as we could have hoped,” said David Walker, co-owner of Firestone Walker Brewing Company.
The on-site solar, single-axis trackers and carports were installed by Duke Energy subsidiary REC Solar. The solar array is located adjacent to the brewery. The second 281-kW solar carport spans 14,000 sq. ft just south of the brewery. Project planning began in late 2016, with groundbreaking in April 2020. In addition to the solar arrays, the project includes utility substation upgrades that will make it easier for other local organizations seeking to go solar to tap into the power of renewable energy.
“We have made a 25-year forward commitment to this project, and we hope that our embrace of solar energy, along with scores of others in our community, will encourage more to do the same,” Walker said.
News item from Duke Energy
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