No, we’re not talking about the sunshine needed to grow hops. Rather, about the handful of breweries that have installed solar arrays to help brew their beer.
This is not an exhaustive list, there are likely others out there using renewable energy to power their brew. For example, New Belgium Beer, in Fort Collins, Colorado has used wind power since 1999. Here’s the Cooler Planet short list of “solar-powered beer.”
Anderson Valley Brewing Company – since 2006 Anderson Valley Brewing in Boonville, California has relied on its 768 solar panels to brew its beer. The solar array covers over 12,000 square feet of rooftop space and generates approximately 125,000 watts per hour.
Sierra Nevada Brewing Company – just this year, Sierra Nevada installed 1.4-megawatt solar array on top of its manufacturing complex in Chico, California. The solar panels add to the company’s 1-megawatt fuel cell system. Together these systems serve approximately 80% of the company’s power needs.
Lucky Labrador Brewing Company – located in Portland, Oregon uses solar thermal technology to heat the water needed for the first stage of the brewing process.
