A New South Wales wine maker has switched on a solar and battery storage system it says will power all of the vineyard’s operations and deliver around $85,000 a year in electricity savings.
Lowe Family Wine Co. in Mudgee says it now operates entirely off-grid using a “first of its kind” system that combines 265 kilowatt (kW) of solar and 120 megawatt-hours (MWh) of battery storage, designed by local outfit SPS Solar + Water.
“The Mudgee-based estate now powers its entire operation, including the vineyard, winery, cellar door, and hatted restaurant, The Zin House, with a landmark solar and battery system,” a statement says.
“It tackles the significant energy loads of cold storage, refrigeration, and cooking required for both the winemaking facilities and the restaurant, ensuring reliability during critical periods like harvest.”
The Lowe Family says the collaboration with SPS Solar + Water also seeks to create a working prototype for other regional businesses looking to transition to an off-grid energy supply.
They say the $850,000 project was financed through a loan facility with Smart Ease, which is expected to help deliver a payback period of seven years on an asset with a 25-year lifespan.
“We are constantly working to become more sustainable,” says owner and winemaker, David Lowe, “however this particular milestone was particularly big for us.
“The project has taken almost a year from inception, but the fact that we are now reliant only on the sun is a monumental win for our organic and biodynamic business.”
Sophie is editor of One Step Off The Grid and editor of its sister site, Renew Economy. Sophie has been writing about clean energy for more than a decade.
