Energy Independent Carneros Winery Toasts Predictable Energy Costs

[Orstio]

http://www.everything-science.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=165&Itemid=1

SONOMA & CARNEROS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 23, 2005--Cline Cellars announced today substantial completion of the winery's new solar electric system. Designed and built by SolarCraft Services Incorporated of Novato, California, the system will provide 100% of the winery's annual electricity needs for its Carneros production facility.

Cline Cellars Solar Electric Panels. 34,625 square feet of high capacity solar panels will generate roughly 411 kilowatts, providing 100% of the winery's annual energy needs. (Photo: Business Wire)

SolarCraft designed a lightweight aluminum mounting structure that works well with the structural capacity of the winery's steel wareho. . .

[Astronuc]

These folks are seriously busy with solar - http://www.solarcraft.com/

On another project -

Santa Rosa, CA (October 24, 2005) – Fountaingrove Athletic Club announced today that it has completed installation a new solar heating system for The Athletic Club’s 135,000-gallon, 4,500 square-foot pool. It is the largest solar heated pool in Santa Rosa. The new solar heating system maintains an average water temperature of 80 degrees, will save the athletic club thousands of dollars annually and eliminate hundreds of tons of harmful greenhouse gas emissions. The Solar Water Heating System consists of 75 high efficency FAFCO Revolution solar panels. The 3,600 square-feet of solar heat exchangers are mounted on hillside, ground-mounted racks and connected to the existing pool filtration system. An automatic temperature control system ensures that the natural gas-powered heater is in use only when needed to keep the pool temperature at 80 degrees. “It’s working well,” says Athletic Club Director, Darren Howey. “In fact, our pool has been operating at a constant 80 degrees Fahrenheit since the new system went operational in mid-August. We have used the gas water heater on an extremely limited basis.” The new system, installed by SolarCraft Services of Novato, enables Fountaingrove Athletic Club to eliminate the use of over 2 million cubic feet of Natural Gas per year and reduce emissions of 124 tons of greenhouse gases.