Project Description
Founded in 2001, Niner farms a total of 212 acres across three different SIP (Sustainability in Practice) Certified vineyards, and makes all their wine in their LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Certified Winery at Heart Hill Vineyard. Niner Wine Estates is committed to integrating sustainability into every aspect of their operations. Accordingly, Niner sought to offset 100% of their electricity consumption with solar.
To meet Niner’s ambitious net-zero goal, REC Solar analyzed Niner’s energy profile to size the roof and ground mounted systems accordingly.
“Sustainability has been important to our business since we started, and solar has been a missing piece for us,” said Andy Niner, president of Niner Wine Estates. “With the price of solar panels at an all-time low and the upcoming expiration of the federal tax credit, now is the right time for Niner to go solar. Best of all, the system pays for itself in approximately five years, which is a familiar timeline for us—it’s how long it takes to cultivate a vine and bottle new wine.”
REC Solar took advantage of California Net Energy Meter Aggregation to locate Niner’s systems on low-value land and the winery roof, rather than on productive soil. REC Solar also ensured that the systems matched the winery’s aesthetic and integrated quality technology.
“Sustainability has been important to our business since we started, and solar has been a missing piece for us.”Andy Niner, Niner Wine Estates President