Rob Erlichman, CEO of Sunlight Electric, citing stats from the NorCal Solar Energy Association, said that across the Bay Area's 10 counties, the average watts per capita of installed solar is 16.7; but, Napa County far exceeds that at 51.1 watts per capita. Erlichman's research also shows "Rutherford is the most solar place in all the Bay Area."
"With a population of 525, that means our work has generated 1,135 watts per capita, so it seems that our customers are largely responsible for putting Rutherford on the solar map."
Sunlight Electric has completed five major projects in Rutherford — Frog's Leap, Honig, Long Meadow Ranch, Staglin and ZD Wines, totaling about 600 kilowatts.
Certified by city officials as a green business, the Hotel Carlton in San Francisco's lower Nob Hill area recently became the first hotel in San Francisco to install solar panels on its roof. Hotel manager Joie de Vivre Hospitality says the array is expected to reduce the 161-room hotel's electricity usage by 12%. The installation is a partnership of Hotel Carlton and Sunlight Electric, a locally based provider of photovoltaic systems for the commercial market.
Rob Erlichman, CEO of Sunlight Electric: "We're already at a place where the lines cross between the cost of solar power and the cost of using conventionally generated electricity. If you're a utility customer and you pay your electric bill for 20 years, what do you have at the end of those 20 years? You have nothing. Your money has literally gone up in smoke. Wouldn't the more attractive alternative be to invest in your own power plant, and at the end of that 20 years, you own something that generates power? Our job is to help our customers understand the economic tradeoffs, illustrate the high cost of doing nothing, and come up with creative solutions that enable them to finance projects that are economically appealing, on day one and for years to come."
"These are businesses committed to sustainability," says Rob Erlichman, Sunlight Electric's founder and CEO. Napa County wineries have adopted solar power 42 times faster than California businesses overall, Erlichman says.
Renewable Energy Strategies from Solar Revolution
in Napa Valley
More than seven percent of wineries in Napa County are now solar-powered -- an adoption rate 42 times greater than California businesses in general and nearly double that of wineries statewide. Predicts Sunlight Electric: By the end of 2010, one in five wineries in Napa County -- nearly triple the current number -- will be solar-powered. "What's especially significant is that most businesses in the U.S. can learn from what's going on here," says Rob Erlichman, CEO of Sunlight Electric.
Beyond wineries, the clean energy explosion in Napa is a learning opportunity for firms looking to gain insulation from rising energy costs. Sixteen states, representing nearly half of the population [of the U.S.], have already initiated solar subsidy programs.
Sunlight Electric leads solar power system installations for Calif.'s sustainable food, beverage operations
SE has installed more solar power systems for the regions wineries than any other company by a factor of two.
"We are driving this trend," Erlichman told Sustainable Food News. And, considering California's sun and high electricity rates, "The interesting question for business owners, [who seek] to control costs and reduce their environmental footprint is 'What's going on in Napa that I can learn from?'"
The sun that ripens the grapes is also providing power for a growing number of California wineries, including Robert Mondavi vineyards. Sunlight Electric has installed 1,000 200 watt solar panels at Staglin Winery in Napa Valley at a cost of $1 million, reports ABC News. The panels produce almost enough power to meet all the small winery's energy needs. The vineyard hopes to recover the cost of the panels within 15 years through a combination of savings on electricity costs, state subsidies, federal tax breaks, and cash incentives from Pacific Gas & Electric.
November 1, 2007
GreenBiz
Wineries Going Solar
The leaders in renewable energy use aren't in Silicon Valley, or even San Francisco. They're in Wine Country, says a recent article in the San Francisco Business Times. With an adoption rate far surpassing that of other businesses in the state, wineries in Napa and Sonoma counties are warming up to solar power — and they're taking advantage of the resulting energy savings to hold their ground against encroaching competition and the threat of global warming.
"The rate of adoption of solar (among Napa Valley wineries) is 42 times that of business in general in the state, which is staggering," says Rob Erlichman, chief executive of Sunlight Electric, a San Francisco solar developer.
Erlichman agreed that especially for wineries—which generally have high power usage, clean balance sheets, a greater need for differentiation in their branding, and a higher commitment toward sustainability—cost should rarely be a roadblock. "Solar is remarkably affordable," he said. "What's great is there are now financial options, such as leasing, that allow people to go solar without any out-of-pocket expense, a route that doesn't require you take out a loan or put an asset on your balance sheet."
Sunlight Electric President Rob Erlichman says wineries meet all the criteria for large solar projects. And says Erlichman solar power is a trend at Napa Valley wineries.
"Seven percent of the wineries in Napa have adopted solar power. Compare that to the adoption rate for businesses in the state of California in general, which is 2/10ths of one percent," said Erlichman.
Sunlight Electric President Rob Erlichman: "We see four key trends that are relevant to every business: One is high power usage; two is a clean balance sheet. three is branded and differentiated products;and the fourth is a commitment to sustainability. So this incredible trend that's going on with wineries and solar power really can apply to any business in California."
"In Napa Valley, we think something fascinating is going on," said Rob Erlichman, CEO of Sunlight Electric, a San Francisco solar developer focused on sustainable food and beverage businesses.
"The rate of adoption of solar is 42 times that of business in general in the state, which is staggering," he said.
"We've seen in nearly three years time, the winery industry go from nothing, really, to about seven percent of wineries in Napa Valley are now solar powered," said Rob Erlichman, the president of San Francisco's Sunlight Electric. "I predict that they'll be at nearly three times that in three years time, or about 20 percent."
Cover Story: Sensible Solar: Why small wineries invest in sustainable energy
California does rank No. 1 for solar benefits, according to Erlichman. Ranking U.S. states by solar incidence and electric rates, he said, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Minnesota, Texas and Arizona round out the top 10.
According to Sunlight Electric -- the San Francisco solar developer that designed Cuvaison's system -- the company has installed 1 million watts of capacity to date. It saves the emission of nearly 66 million pounds of global warming carbon dioxide.
October, 2007
Alternative Energy Retailer
A Little Pinot Noir with a PV Chaser
According to Sunlight Electric, the San Francisco-based solar developer that designed Cuvaison's solar power system and managed its installation, Napa Country wineries have adopted solar power at a rate 42 times greater than California business overall.
October, 2007
Beverage Media Magazine
Cover Story: A Greener Vision: Wine & Spirit Companies Implement Environmentally Friendly Business Practices
Vintners bottle sunshine with solar powered harvest
Rob Erlichman, founder and CEO of San Francisco-based Sunlight Electric, which has more than a dozen wineries as clients, including Long Meadow and Frog's Leap, estimates there are 28 systems in Napa County and another 14 in next-door Sonoma County.
"This thing has really picked up a head of steam in the last couple of years," he said.
