Energy Upgrade California features in its website a number of “Energy heroes”  who they highlight for their commitment to sustainability and the use of renewable energy.

One of them is the Sierra Nevada Brewing Company, which they categorize as an “energy-efficiency innovator in the brewing industry.”

In 2017 the company finished installing a 1 MWH battery array at their Chico, California headquarters. 

Since 2011, their nearly 11,000 solar panels — one of the largest privately-owned arrays in North America — provides about 20% of the brewery’s power demands.  The solar panels cover the peak power load, which is the most expensive solar demand of the day, from noon to 6 p.m. 

Additional power at the Chico site is generated by ten microturbines that produce about 2 megawatts. That extra power gets pumped to the Powerpack, where it’s stored to help the company fight off demand charges during times when the solar panels aren’t producing at their peak. 

Sierra Nevada says that they’re generating about 95% of their electricity on site.

But they’re not the only brewery putting their energy needs on the sun. 

Solar United Neighbors just announced this week that they have opened voting for the Second Annual Brews from the Sun Competition.

Brews from the Sun is an opportunity to celebrate the more than 130 breweries around the country that are brewing their beer using solar energy. Solar supporters and craft beer enthusiasts can vote for their favorite brewery that has gone solar.

“Brews from the Sun is our way of raising a glass to breweries across the country that have gone solar,” said Anya Schoolman, Solar United Neighbors Executive Director. “They are going solar to save money and take control of where their electricity comes from with a clean energy source.”

Sierra Nevada Brewing Company is competing in the regional breweries category with 14 other candidates. 

Public voting will take place from May 6th - June 15th.

Solar United Neighbors says that more than 140 craft breweries from 38 different states around the country have installed solar panels to help power their operations. Their solar systems range from 4.2 kW - 2.1 MW in size, and include solar panels installed on warehouse buildings, parking shade structures, farmhouses, ground mounts, and even as the roof of a beer garden.

The Brewers Association notes that breweries benefit from having a reliable source of energy that reduces costs, particularly for heating boil kettles or hot liquor tanks. And any brewery can appreciate the significant cost savings offered by investing in solar power -- in addition, of course, to the environmental benefits.

According to an article in Forbes magazine, solar power also helps the breweries with consumer loyalty and to stand out in a competitive market. This is especially true for millennials - their biggest customer base - who want to support companies that help the planet.

Going solar seems to be a badge of honor for breweries, something they tout as much as the taste of their spuds. For instance, the Anderson Valley Brewing Company in Boonville, California talks about its “ecological commitment”.

“Living in a place as beautiful as Anderson Valley makes us conscious of the environment and our impact on it. So we consider the environment in every single part of our business,” they emphasize. 

That commitment led them to install an array of 768 solar panels on the roof of their brewhouse and employee parking structure. 

“Since then, we’ve relied on the power of the sun to provide us with over 40% of the energy we need to run the brewery, which has already paid for itself in energy savings that would have otherwise come from municipal providers,” they note. 

It’s a message they even put on their bottle caps, which read “solar powered brewery.”

Do your part

But breweries alone can not solve the climate problems that come from the burning of fossil fuels.

You can also do your part by installing solar panels on your roof. A new report from the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) says that there are now two million such installations, double what they were just three years ago. And while California continues to lead the charge in this case, states across the country are also contributing.

Part of the reason for the exponential growth of solar has to do with the ease and lower price of solar equipment when compared to only a few years ago. 

“Our nation is harnessing homegrown sunshine at scale to lower electric bills, create jobs, reduce harmful pollution, and build a brighter future for our children and grandchildren," said Adam Browning, executive director of Vote Solar. "This remarkable progress is a true American success story made possible by customers, workers, policymakers, advocates and innovators. It shows us both what's possible and how much farther we can go when it comes to an urgent transition to clean energy."

To find out how much a solar power system for your home will cost, you can access the Hahasmart price checker that provides you with an estimate of equipment and installation costs by simply noting your home address and monthly electricity bill. They’ll even help you contact a reputable solar installer in your area. 

And with all the money you'll be saving on your electric bill, you'll definitely be able to enjoy a few beers, as long as they're made with solar power.

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