Rodney Strong Vineyards Goes Carbon Neutral

Already using a 766 kW solar system, Rodney Strong Vineyards has gone the extra step of becoming carbon neutral via purchase of offsets.

As part of Pacific Gas & Electric’s ClimateSmart program, Rodney Strong Vineyards will offset the remainder of its emissions by paying a separate amount on its monthly bill. The separate amount will reflect actual energy use, and PG&E will invest the funds in projects that reduce or absorb GHG emissions, according to a press release.

The winery also is working with NativeEnergy to purchase renewable energy credits (RECs) that benefit the Greensburg Wind Farm Project, Hillcrest Saylor Family Farm Methane Project and the Wanner Family Farm Methane Project.

Rodney Strong says these efforts make it the first carbon-neutral winery in California’s Sonoma Valley.

A host of other wineries are taking steps to reduce their environmental impact.

For instance, Grgich Hills winery in Napa Valley worked with SPG Solar on a PV installation that produces 170.08 kilowatts DC of electricity during peak production hours.

Napa Valley’s Merryvale Vineyards has a 277kW solar electric system for Starmont Winery that generates enough clean electricity each day to power 78 average homes.