South Coast Solar Installs System at Abita Brewing Co.

South Coast Solar LLC of New Orleans, a leading solar design-build contractor, has announced the installation of a grid connected 85-kW PV system on the rooftop of the Abita Brewing Company LLC, a Louisiana-based craft brewery.

ABITA_all_cansThe project was made possible through the USDA’s Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) that provided a 25 percent grant to supplement the cost of the project. This system serves as one of the largest commercial solar systems in the state and will join only a handful of breweries across the country to implement solar technology. The system’s 340 solar panels were installed on the warehouse of the main facility. Over the next 25 years, the system is estimated to offset 2,737,202 kilowatt hours. The system will offset approximately 2,054 tons of carbon or 10,264 trees over the next 25 years.

“At Abita, we work to make great beer every day. We also work to make the world around us a better place to live by being a good neighbor,” said David Blossman, president of Abita Brewing Company. “We’re committed to being a green brewer, protecting the environment and our unique culture so that Louisiana will always be the Sportsman’s Paradise.”

The USDA’s REAP provides assistance to agricultural producers and rural small businesses to complete a wide variety of renewable energy and energy efficiency projects, including solar PV and solar thermal projects. The program, administered by USDA Rural Development, offers grants and loan guarantees to any agricultural producer or rural small business. In this sense, rural is defined as any community consisting of less than 50,000 members. “Clarence W. Hawkins, State Director for USDA Rural Development said he was pleased to see Louisiana small businesses and agriculture producers take advantage of REAP funding to offset energy consumption and ultimately improve their bottom-line.”

Jerry Hymel, vice president of commercial projects for South Coast Solar, developed the project and helped author the USDA grant application for Abita Brewing. “Solar technology provides the perfect platform for established businesses, like Abita Brewing Co., to employ proven technology, lock in their energy rates long term, and reinvest their savings into the future growth of the company. We are truly excited to have partnered with such an exciting company who is committed to adopt renewable energy as a means to produce dependable, clean energy.”

— Solar Builder magazine

[source: http://www.solarbuildermag.com/news/south-coast-solar-installs-system-abita-brewing-co/]


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