Solar Installation at Bethel Heights Vineyard in Oregon

Solar Nation has announced the installation and commissioning of a sixty-one kilowatt solar-electric system for Bethel Heights Vineyard in Salem, Oregon. The winery installed solar power to reduce and stabilize energy costs and to follow through on its long-standing commitment to protecting the environment.

The Bethel Heights solar installation includes 260 SolarWorld™ solar panels made in Hillsboro, Oregon that will supply approximately forty percent of the electrical energy needs for the combined winery and vineyard operations.

"Bethel Heights Vineyard has been committed to sustainability since its inception in 1977 and has been looking at ways to build on that tradition. Solar Nation was able to show us how we could use solar-energy to achieve our environmental, ethical, and financial objectives, all from a local perspective, providing us with a unique opportunity to improve our stewardship while at the same time making our business more competitive. From helping us navigate all the permits and paperwork, right through the construction and final commissioning of the system, Solar Nation handled every aspect of the project, letting us remain focused on our business,” said Patricia Dudley, Co-owner of Bethel Heights Vineyard.

"Bethel Heights is the grower of the first certified sustainably produced wine in the United States and a pioneer in sustainability. Solar Nation is proud to be a part of their tradition of excellence in winemaking and stewardship. From the beginning of our relationship, it was clear that Bethel Heights and Solar Nation share a passion for quality, a devotion to craft, and a commitment to the local community. Like Bethel Heights vintage wines, the Bethel Heights solar-electric system is a product of Oregon, with panels produced by Hillsboro-based SolarWorld and engineered and installed by Portland-based Solar Nation. With the commissioning of its solar-electric system, Bethel Heights is able to generate forty percent of its power on site, providing immediate savings, and making Bethel Heights a stronger business and a stronger employer. And by generating power at the vineyard, Bethel Heights will be reducing the load on transmission lines while cutting carbon emissions and improving the environment," said Paul Hodge, CEO of Solar Nation.

It is estimated that over its 25-year warranted life, the Bethel Heights solar-energy system will keep 1,189 tons of CO₂ from entering the environment. This is the equivalent of driving an automobile over 1,514,757 miles or the annual CO₂ offset of over 47,563 trees.

Source: http://www.solarnation.com/