Franscioni & Griva, a family-owned farm on the central coast of California that grows 394 acres of wine grapes, is building a solar facility to generate its own power – giving the farm increased resources to devote to its growing practices, the company say. Franscioni & Griva is working with REC Solar, a Duke Energy-owned company, for the 432 kW, fixed-tilt solar facility.
REC Solar says it is one of the leading providers of solar energy solutions to agriculture wineries, with more than 30 winery customers to date. The company points out that labor costs, access to water, weather and market conditions all vary every year. “Solar panels for farm use can offset a significant portion of overall operating costs and create greater business predictability,” REC Solar says. Incentives in the agriculture sector and access to cheap solar financing can make a shift to solar a solid business decision with a rapid payback, the company says.
REC Solar customers include San Antonio Winery, Castle Rock Vineyards and VBZ & Sons Grapes.
Franscioni & Griva will be able to “seamlessly transition” to solar energy with the new facility, president and CEO Michael Griva says. He adds that the move to solar coincides with the farm’s 150 anniversary and demonstrates the company’s “commitment to innovation in sustainable practices.”
Their land has transitioned significantly in agriculture usage over the years, now growing approximately 394 acres of wine grapes.
Earlier this year, Environmental Leader explored another energy project taking place at a California vineyard: Stone Edge Farm, a 16-acre estate that includes a winery known for producing Cabernet Sauvignon from organically-grown grapes, worked with electrical engineering contractor Craig Wooster on an open-source microgrid project to lower the farm’s carbon footprint.
