Silver Mountain Vineyards powered totally by solar

Akeena Solar, Inc. (AKNS), a leading national installer and distributor of solar power systems, announced the installation of its award winning Andalay solar panel system at Silver Mountain Vineyards, a certified organic vineyard and winery nestled in the Santa Cruz Mountains in Northern California.

The 46-kilowatt system incorporates 264 Andalay solar panels and will generate 100 percent of the winery's electricity needs. The panels, which are situated on a newly built 6,000 square foot roof, serve as an integral part of Silver Mountain's "Triple Green Project," an innovative multi-use project designed to curb the winery's electricity and water use. The roof will shade the winery and reduce refrigeration requirements, as well as contributing to a new rainwater collection system and fully support the energy requirements of the winery operations, office and residence.

"With nearly a decade of successful solar installations within the wine industry, we were able to provide real world expertise to meet the unique needs of Silver Mountain Vineyards," said Chuck Chagrin, Akeena Solar vice president for commercial sales. "With our sleek and high performing Andalay system, we were able to achieve Silver Mountain's goal of being entirely solar-powered while preserving the expansive views across the mountains that its visitors enjoy."

The vineyard has been certified organic by the California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF) since 1991, and was farmed organically since its inception in 1978.

"Silver Mountain was built with a fundamental concern for the environment and has always been a proponent of sustainable and organic practices for viticulture and other food sources," said Jerold O'Brien, owner of Silver Mountain Vineyards. "Using solar electricity is a natural extension of our sustainable value and the cost savings make sound business sense. Akeena's experience in providing solar to the wine industry made the company a natural choice to help us convert to 100 percent clean, renewable electricity."

The completion of Silver Mountain Vineyards' solar installation adds to Akeena Solar's growing roster of more than 20 wineries, vineyards and natural resource companies that Akeena has helped go solar. With more than 1.4 megawatts of solar installed, Akeena Solar further solidifies its position as the leading Northern California solar installer dedicated to assisting eco-conscious businesses meet their environmental and bottom line business goals.