Two days ago J. Lohr Vineyards unveiled their 3-acre, state-of-the-art, 756 kilowatt solar photovoltaic (PV) single-axis tracking system designed to offset 75% of the winery’s energy usage at its Paso Robles, CA operations.  They’ll now be operating the largest solar PV tracking array by a winery in North America.  The energy generated from J. Lohr’s new system will reduce CO2 emissions by 29,887 tons over 25 years. In practical terms, this is equivalent to planting 512 acres of trees (which sequester carbon from our air), or eliminating the air pollution that comes from driving 97 million road miles. 

The new, ground-mounted installation is made of 4,320 PV modules that track the sun from east to west daily to optimize production of solar-generated electricity. The system was designed and installed by Conergy, which is involved in 1 in 10 of the world’s solar photovoltaic projects.

This is a great step in their sustainable winegrowing and winemaking program, which also includes using organic soil amendments, limited use of chemicals, erosion control, water conservation, extensive pomace composting and materials recycling.

Allison Jordan, Executive Director for the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance (CSWA) says “J. Lohr has an impressive track record of environmental responsibility, and by both adopting sustainable practices and being willing to share its experience with others, is helping to expand the California wine industry’s widespread sustainability movement.”

“With numerous sunny days, Paso Robles isn’t just ideal for producing rich and flavorful Bordeaux and Rhône-style wines,” says Steve Lohr, J. Lohr’s Senior VP of Planning and Development, “it is also perfect for producing clean, renewable energy.  Owning our own solar tracking array is another important step in our commitment to environmentally-conscious practices.  In our own way, we are working to protect the very climate that nurtures our grapes, while contributing to efforts that reduce the need for drilling off our spectacular coast.”

 Now if only they’d make organic wine…