Another Oregon Winery Embraces Solar Power

Oregon wineries go solar
OPB News – November 24, 2008
 
Sun rays hit a spread of solar panels on the winery’s rooftop, and owners Robin and Danuta Pfeiffer watched as their electric meter’s dial spun backward.

They were putting power back on the grid as the sun light converted to electricity and powered both the winery and the couple’s home in the southern Willamette Valley.

The Pfeiffer Winery, which produces about 1,500 cases of wine each year, is one of at least five Oregon wineries to go solar.

Torri Mor Winery, Stoller Vineyards, Schafer Vineyard Cellar and Sokol Blosser Winery have also installed solar panels to power their businesses.

Bend’s Downtown Parking Garage Gets Solar Power

Although this project has been talked about for some time, city officials say they have finalizing the design of the city of Bend’s first solar energy project.

Work is expected to begin next spring on the project that will sit on top of the Centennial Parking Plaza at 61 NW Oregon Avenue. The city is using a $400,000 grant from Pacific Power’s Blue Sky Projects the city and is partnering with Bend-based SunEnergy Power Corporation to set up the 200 kW project.

With nearly 20 rows of solar panels mounted to steel trusses above the entire top level of the garage, the system will be one of the largest solar installations in Oregon.

SunEnergy, who will own the system, will bear the entire cost of buying, installing and maintaining the solar array, which will produce about 280,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity per year. That energy, enough to power about two dozen homes continuously, will be sold directly to the city.