Historic Napa Valley Spa Now Powered with Solar Energy
NOVATO, CA (February 2023)— Novato and Sonoma based SolarCraft recently completed the installation of a 140 kW solar electric power installation at the historic Indian Springs Calistoga Spa. Located in northern Napa Valley, Indian Springs will benefit from an estimated $50,000 in annual electricity savings while powering it’s facility with clean, sustainable solar power and insulating against escalating PG&E rates.
The solar photovoltaic system consists of 378 solar panels and Enphase microinverters, installed in a collection of arrays on seven different Mission Revival-style buildings on the property. Built in 2014, “The View” buildings are the newest editions to the Indian Springs Resort. An estimated 185,366 kWh annually will provide nearly 80% of the electric needs of the buildings with renewable solar power. With a 30-year Warranty, the resort will be saving on utility costs for decades to come.
This switch from traditional, fossil-fuel energy sources to renewable energy will significantly reduce Indian Spring's carbon footprint, contributing to a greener and cleaner future, all while reducing its overall energy costs. “We are so happy to add to our on-site renewable energy, said Daniel Merchant, Indian Springs Owner. “Geothermal heat for our pools and spa, and now solar for the rooms!”
The annual clean energy production will offset 131 metric tons of carbon dioxide that would otherwise be emitted by fossil-fuel based utility power, or the pollutants removed by over 155 acres of trees. This impact is equivalent to removing the air pollution produced by close to 327,000 miles of driving.
About SolarCraft
SolarCraft is 100% Employee-Owned and has been one of the largest green-tech employers based in the North Bay for over 35 years. SolarCraft delivers Clean Energy Solutions for homes and businesses including Solar Energy and Battery Energy Storage. With over 8,500 customers, our team of dedicated employee-owners is proud to have installed more clean energy systems than any other company in the North Bay. www.solarcraft.com.
About Indian Springs Calistoga
Indian Springs Calistoga is a historic Napa Valley hotel resort comprised of gardens, mineral pools and a thoughtful collection of historic cottages, bungalows, and Mission Revival–style buildings spread out across 17 acres. For over a century, guests have journeyed to Indian Springs Calistoga in search of relaxation and wellbeing. Amazing natural resources can be found on-site, including four thermal geysers, volcanic ash and the legacy that is California’s oldest continuously operating pool and spa facility.
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Many wineries are commitmented to reducing their energy use and enhancing the social and environmental sustainability of their operations, while also reducing operating costs. Explore the Solarcraft winery case studies to learn how SolarCraft, a 100% Employee-Owned and one of the largest green-tech employers based in the North Bay for over 35 years, has helped wineries reach their sustainability goals.
Solar Energy and Wineries - SolarCraft
With both solar power and wineries on the rise in California, is it any surprise that grape growing and generating solar power pair well with each other?
Novato and Sonoma based SolarCraft recently completed the installation of a solar electric power installation at Point Blue Conservation Science Facility in the seaside town Bolinas, West Marin County. Located in the heart of the Point Reyes National Seashore, Point Blue, originally known as the Point Reyes Bird Observatory, is harnessing the power of the sun to provide significant utility savings to their facilities.
To coincide with a planned reroofing project, an existing, aging solar system was removed and replaced by SolarCraft with state-of-the-art high-efficiency solar PV panels to increase the efficiency and production of the solar, further offsetting of their energy usage. The solar photovoltaic system is engineered to solve difficult challenges presented by the coastal location such as high winds, fog and salt mist corrosion. The solar panels installed are engineered for use in coastal and marine environments, ensuring the durability and performance of the project.
“Thank you for managing this project through to completion. We are grateful to the entire team at SolarCraft for the time and effort they have put into getting us up and running,” said Padmini Srinivasan, CFO at Point Blue. “What a great experience and time getting this new PV system designed and installed. You are true professionals and we’re so glad we partnered with you,” added Tim Schaefer, Facilities Manager.
The annual clean energy production will offset 8 metric tons of carbon dioxide that would otherwise be emitted by fossil-fuel based utility power, or the pollutants removed by over 10 acres of trees. This impact is equivalent to removing the air pollution produced by over 547,200 miles of driving over the life of the system.
About SolarCraft
SolarCraft is 100% Employee-Owned and has been one of the largest green-tech employers based in the North Bay for over 35 years. SolarCraft delivers Clean Energy Solutions for homes and businesses including Solar Energy and Battery Energy Storage. With over 8,500 customers, our team of dedicated employee-owners is proud to have installed more clean energy systems than any other company in the North Bay. www.solarcraft.com.
About Point Blue Conversation Science
Originally known as the Point Reyes Bird Observatory, this institution has continued to grow since its founding more than 50 years ago. Point Blue’s 160 scientists work to reduce the impacts of climate change, habitat loss, and other environmental threats while developing nature-based solutions to benefit both wildlife and people, providing a scientific basis for conservation of birds and their habitats.
Novato and Sonoma-based SolarCraft, recently completed the installation of 248 kW DC of solar electric power at Kistler Vineyards in Sebastopol, Sonoma County. Kistler Vineyard will cut their electricity costs by over $67,000 annually and reduce their dependency on non-renewable energy sources. Their carbon footprint will be lowered substantially, benefitting their surrounding communities and their bottom line.
Novato, CA, August, 2022 -The solar power installation consists of two separate systems. The larger of the two is 194.92 kW and roof mounted on the Kistler’s main building, which will power the winery’s office and business operations. With 443 high-efficiency solar panels, the system is expected to provide over 246,000 kWh of clean, green energy every year and any excess power generated flows back into the local utility system reducing the strain on the local power grid.
A second solar system, at 52.8 kW, powers the tasting room and one of the Ag pumps and is ground mounted on a hillside below the tasting room patio. Consisting of 120 solar panels it will provide almost 81,000 kWh of renewable solar energy annually. With a 25-year performance warranty and 40+ year design life on the major system components, this system will be saving Kistler thousands for decades to come.
The annual clean energy production of 327,133 kWh from the combined solar systems will offset nearly 232 metric tons of carbon dioxide that would otherwise be emitted by fossil-fuel based utility power. This impact is equivalent to removing air pollution produced by over 575,458 miles of driving annually or the pollutants removed by 274 acres of trees.
About SolarCraft
SolarCraft is 100% Employee-Owned and has been one of the largest green-tech employers based in the North Bay for over 35 years. SolarCraft delivers Clean Energy Solutions for homes and businesses including Solar Energy and Battery Energy Storage. With over 8,500 customers, our team of dedicated employee-owners is proud to have installed more clean energy systems than any other company in the North Bay. www.solarcraft.com
About Kistler Vineyards
Founded in 1978, Kistler Vineyards is a small, family-owned and operated winery specializing in the production of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Their eleven single vineyard Chardonnays and 2 single vineyard Pinot Noirs are from vineyards in Sonoma Coast, Russian River, Sonoma Valley and on over to Carneros in Napa.
Novato and Sonoma based SolarCraft recently completed the installation of a 400 kW solar electric power installation at The Duckhorn Portfolio’s Migration Winery at 1451 Stanly Lane in the beautiful Carneros region of Napa Valley. This large solar power system demonstrates Duckhorn’s commitment to the environmental sustainability of its operations, benefitting their surrounding communities and their bottom line. With a 25-year performance warranty on the major system components, this system will be saving Migration hundreds of thousands of dollars in operating costs for decades to come.
The winery was purchased with an existing, aging solar system. Aiming to improve sustainability of the facility and increase the efficiency and production of the solar, the old panels were removed and replaced with state-of-the-art high-efficiency solar PV panels for increased offset of their energy usage. An innovative ‘critter guard’ was also installed around the entire solar array to prevent birds and animals from nesting under the solar panels in this beautiful riverside facility.
The SolarCraft PV system is projected to produce 612,630 kWh annually, providing approximately 75% of Migration’s electricity needs for the winery’s 60,000-square-foot building. Through Net Energy Metering, or NEM, the winery is able to sell excess solar power back to the utility, granting them additional income and reducing the strain on the local power grid.
The annual clean energy production will offset 434 metric tons of carbon dioxide that would otherwise be emitted by fossil-fuel based utility power. This impact is equivalent to removing the air pollution produced by over 1 million miles of driving annually or the pollutants removed by 514 acres of trees. Over the life of the system, over 3.2 million gallons of water use will be avoided that would otherwise be used for fossil fuel energy production.
About SolarCraft
SolarCraft is 100% Employee-Owned and has been one of the largest green-tech employers based in the North Bay for over 35 years. SolarCraft delivers Clean Energy Solutions for homes and businesses including Solar Energy and Battery Energy Storage. With over 8,500 customers, our team of dedicated employee-owners is proud to have installed more clean energy systems than any other company in the North Bay. www.solarcraft.com.
About Migration
Since its founding in 2001, Migration has been dedicated to exploring Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from California’s finest cool-climate appellations, most notably the legendary Sonoma Coast. Today, guided by Winemaker Dana Epperson, Migration works with some of the most acclaimed growers in California to produce a small portfolio of sought-after Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs, including its flagship Sonoma Coast wines, and coveted vineyard-designates. In recent years, the Migration portfolio has expanded to other cool-climate varietals, including Grüner Veltliner, Syrah and sparkling wines—all made in a refined and compelling style that balances vibrancy and finesse, with vineyard-driven complexity. To learn more about Migration, visit www.migrationwines.com.
Novato and Sonoma based SolarCraft, a leading North Bay solar installer for over 35 years, recently completed the installation of a 43.2 kW DC solar system at New Vintage Church in Santa Rosa, CA. Their facility is now utilizing clean, sustainable power while saving over a thousand dollars in electrical bills every month.
The solar power system is roof mounted, consisting of 96 high-efficiency solar panels and producing 62,144 kWh every year. The new solar array will offset close to 74% of the Church’s electrical needs annually, putting those savings back into their hands to support the congregation’s needs.
“Working with SolarCraft was a breeze,” said Darren Youngstrom, Lead Pastor at New Vintage Church.
“Their team kept us up to date on the progress, responded to all inquiries in a timely manner, kept the project on schedule and were professional and easy to work with. If you are looking through an array of options for your solar needs, we would highly recommend the team at SolarCraft.”
California Clean Energy (CCE), a Renewable Energy Service Provider for nonprofit organizations, will own the system and recover its costs through a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with the church. A PPA is an alternative to purchasing or financing your own solar power system, providing nonprofits the opportunity to utilize clean solar energy with no up-front costs and no system operation, maintenance, and replacement costs. Customers, such as
New Vintage Church, benefit from lower fixed electricity prices than paying the utility and will never increase.
Every year 44 metric tons of carbon dioxide generated by New Vintage’s operations will be eliminated. This impact is equivalent to removing air pollution produced by 2.8 million miles of driving over 25 years or the pollutants removed by 52 acres of trees in one year.
About SolarCraft
SolarCraft continues to provide clean energy and battery storage solutions throughout the North Bay. SolarCraft is 100% Employee-Owned and is has been one of the largest green-tech employers based in the North Bay for over 35 years. SolarCraft delivers Clean Energy Solutions for homes and businesses including Solar Energy and Battery Energy Storage. With over 8,500 customers, our team of dedicated employee-owners is proud to have installed more clean energy systems than any other company in the
North Bay. www.solarcraft.com.