Trifecta of Conergy Solar Energy Solutions Brings Eos Estate Winery Earth-Friendly Answers to Their Power Needs

Eos’ winning tip sheet features three solar energy systems:a 504 kWp photovoltaic (PV) tracking system, a 36 kWp, 204-panel fixed-tilt PV system to power the winery’s popular visitor center and a 100-panel roof-mounted solar thermal system.

Located adjacent to Eos’ sun-drenched vineyards, Conergy’s state-of-the-art tracking system maximizes the winery’s daily solar energy harvest by literally following the sun’s trajectory from east to west.The system delivers up to 15% more energy than traditional fixed-mount solar technologies.It spans over two acres.To augment this, the ground-mounted fixed-tilt solar system powers the winery’s inviting tasting room and a roof-mounted Solar Thermal System provides the winery’s water heating needs.

“Our primary motivator was to produce wines in a way that honors this beautiful coastal area and respects the environment,” said Eos Estates Winery owner Jeff Hopmayer.“Conergy’s solutions enable Eos to optimize power generation throughout the day, avoiding the hours of shading confronted by standard systems set to peak hour production,” he noted.“These efficiencies -- coupled with the government incentives associated with this project -- made the economics of installing these remarkable earth-friendly systems viable,” Hopmayer said. 

The winery’s environmental return on this project is also substantial.According to Conergy, Eos’s solar initiatives will reduce CO2 emissions by over 21,000 tons – the equivalent of eliminating 68 million car miles from California’s freeways.

Conergy will remotely monitor the systems and provide preventative maintenance services to ensure years of worry-free operation and economic return on Eos’s solar energy investment.

Hopmayer and his partners at Sapphire Wines LLC purchased the renowned Eos Estate Winery in 2007. 

Eos’ management team and the solar energy experts at Conergy will be on hand to share Eos Estate Winery’s winning economic and environmental solutions at Conergy’s inaugural Wine and Shine Tour and Tasting, Friday, April 24.

The Earth Week event provides other vintners and agricultural and water industry decision makers with behind-the-scenes solar energy system tours, valuable Q & A and sundry industry insights of the families behind Eos Estate Winery, J. Lohr Vineyards and Wines and Clautiere Winery.Those interested in learning more can visit www.wineandshinetour.org.

“The rebates, tax incentives, accelerated depreciation, environmental benefits and brand cache that go with pursuing clean energy solutions in today’s marketplace have never been more appealing,” said Conergy Project Developer Michael DeSousa, who engineered the solutions for all three of the wineries participating in the Wine and ShineTour and Tasting. “The participation of these three successful wineries in this bellwether event is not only a testament to their business savvy, but to their exemplary environmental stewardship,” said Conergy’s DeSousa.“The fact that they want to share their purses with fellow winemakers speaks volumes about the character of the thoroughbreds in this proverbial contest,” he said.

About CONERGY:

Conergy designs, manufactures, installs and finances solar photovoltaic solutions for major commercial sectors, public agencies, businesses and homeowners through two distinct channels.Conergy's Projects Group focuses on custom solutions for large-scale, energy-intensive enterprises; Conergy's Distribution Group serves a national network of installers, developers and dealers in the grid-tied and off-grid residential realm, while also addressing the needs of small commercial markets.With ten years’ market prowess, Conergy has successfully deployed projects totaling over 1 Gigawatt of renewable energy capacity around the world.With operations in 15 countries over 4 continents, Conergy is driving today’s clean energy economy via the design, production, installation or financing of close to 1 in 10 of the world’s solar energy systems.Learn more at www.conergy.us.

About Eos Estate Winery:

Eos Estate Winery uses state-of-the-art, eco-friendly technology to harness the sun’s energy to craft premium wines with a focus on food-friendly flavor, balance and elegance.These ideas guide every aspect of the wine's production, from the planting and developing of the vines to the utilization of the most advanced winemaking equipment and techniques to the selection and use of the world’s finest French and American oak barrels for fermentation and aging.With a motto of “big wines, little footprint,” Eos is leading the wineries on the Central Coast in supplying their energy needs through solar power.The Eos portfolio includes 4 elements – Cupa Grandis, Eos Reserve, Eos and Lost Angel.To learn more about Eos wines and its tasting room, visit www.eosvintage.com.