Crafting wine from the highest-quality grapes is a proud and complex profession. However, to produce the best end product, vineyards must overcome numerous challenges. From unpredictable weather to pests and plant illness, the odds sometimes seem stacked against a successful harvest.
One area that these operations tend to overlook is how they are using their energy. Solar panels for vineyards are becoming increasingly common as an option to improve how these operations do business.
Here is an overview of three of the biggest advantages of solar-powered vineyards, both in terms of a successful harvest and how a vineyard attracts customers after the wine is made.
How Solar Can Power Vineyards
Many vineyards have never considered solar because they simply did not realize that it was a possibility. Solar can be installed throughout the vineyard to maximize their exposure to the sun and add the power production necessary to support the entire enterprise.
Due to the needs of the growing plants, most vineyards are already well equipped with sunlight access and few competing trees or obstructions.
Three Advantages of Solar-Powered Vineyards
If you are intrigued by the prospect of a solar-powered vineyard but are not sure how this may work for your vineyard, consider the many advantages that a project such as this could offer. Three of the main benefits vineyards can enjoy by deploying a strategically crafted solar array are the ability to:
Cut Down on Monthly Expenses
One of the most obvious advantages of solar panels is their ability to reduce or eliminate energy bills from electricity. The energy produced by a solar array can power refrigerant systems, run the equipment the vines rely on, operate water pumps, and keep the lights on in the main building.
When solar energy is used for these tasks, your vineyard will not be drawing on municipal power, lowering the monthly energy bill for the business. Vineyards come in all shapes and sizes; the best way to determine what size system is necessary to impact your bill is to receive a customized estimate.
In general, vineyards will be using commercial-sized arrays with a 30kWh capacity rather than the 10kWh systems that are common in residential construction. Projects that consume less than 200kWh per month can opt for a smaller system, while those exceeding 400kWh each month in usage may need to go larger. A professional will help you explore your options.
Eliminate Energy Dependence
Vineyards can be delicate—a power outage may leave vines unwatered or post-harvest products unrefrigerated, resulting in spoilage or crop failure and a loss of profits. One of the biggest advantages of solar panels is their ability to eliminate a vineyard’s dependence on municipal energy.
Should the power go out, solar panels and any attached batteries will continue to produce the energy needed for operations to continue uninterrupted. This also frees businesses from the unpredictability of their local energy company’s rates, which may go up consistently and cut into the company’s bottom line.
When a vineyard is energy independent, it can make informed choices about the future without leaving business to chance.
Rebrand and Cut Emissions
One of the latent advantages of solar-powered vineyards is the company’s ability to shift public perception using their new array. As climate issues continue to dominate news headlines, more people than ever are becoming cognizant of a business’ impacts on the environment and actively seek to patronize those who are being responsible with their energy usage.
Vineyards that advertise their eco-friendly nature can draw more customers by advertising this distinguishing feature. Draw a comparison between the environmental considerations you have encapsulated in your business practices and the thoughtfulness behind the products you produce to create a personal, caring ethos that encourages brand loyalty and trust.
Solar-powered vineyards are a big step on the road to becoming carbon neutral.
Get a Comprehensive Quote from the Pros
Solar-powered vineyards are becoming more common as business owners realize the many advantages that this technology can bring to their operation. However, vineyards have unique needs, and the right solar panel array will need to be customized to your business’ one-of-a-kind setup and challenges.
The experts at Ipsun Solar stay on the cutting edge of solar technology to ensure that your vineyard can break away from energy dependence and generate the power it needs to thrive. Contact Ipsun Solar to set up an appointment to get a comprehensive and transparent quote to establish your vineyard with solar panels.
