Charlotte-based solar panel maker Sencera has installed what it says is the first solar array at an N.C. winery, the Charlotte Observer's Bruce Henderson reports.
RayLen Vineyards & Winery in Mocksville, about 45 miles north of Charlotte, is using 104 100-watt panels to power refrigeration systems, pumping machinery and offices.
General manager Steve Shepard expects the solar array to cut the winery's electricity bills by at least half. Government incentives helped lower installation costs.
Sencera's thin-film panels use a tiny fraction of the silicon used in conventional panels, making them cheaper to produce.
Assistant Business Editor Alan M. Wolf joined the N&O in 1999 covering the business of health care. He became an editor in 2001, and helps oversee the paper's daily business coverage and Sunday Work&Money section. He lives in Clayton with his wife and two children. Reach him at 919-829-4572 or
Comments
Solar panels at Mocksville winery
Sun, 11/29/2009 - 11:50 — mj2222Alan -
Thanks for providing this information. What a great idea.
We need Sencera to open up a solar production facility here in
Wake County. We need many more businesses to realize that
they can make money by installing solar in their businesses. The payback
may take awhile; but, the solar panels pay for themselves after a few years.
And the government incentives are considerable at this point in time. And
that is not even mentioning how this will help the environment!
Save electricity
Sat, 11/28/2009 - 07:35 — dantesSolar panels are the latest solution to save enerwy withour lowering standards.
Acai Berry - How to Lose Weight With Acai Berry
Mon, 11/23/2009 - 23:39 — acaiberry1What is Acai Berry?
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