From Left to right: Southbrook Vineyards Proprietor Bill Redelmeier; Bruce Taylor, Enviro-Stewards; Kevin Hooieveld, The Violin Group; Mike Schreiner, Green Party of Ontario Leader; Brodie Mosher, Niagara-on-the-Lake Hydro

Southbrook Vineyards is very excited to announce that their new 136 KW net metering solar system is now operational!  Installed by St. Catharines based The Violin Group this system consists of 8 rows, 432 panels and a 136 KW net meter which will be used to generate renewable sourced electricity. Before construction began, Southbrook undertook an energy audit of overall energy consumption and identified opportunities for substantial improvement. To help accomplish this task, Southbrook enlisted the help of Ontario-based engineering firm, Enviro-Stewards who ,with help from Niagara-on-the-Lake Hydro, found that Southbrook could see reductions of 41 per cent in natural gas usage and 38 per cent in electricity requirements. With the panels fully operational, Southbrook will see a net reduction in electricity of 80 per cent and the solar system — installed with no government subsidies — will pay itself off in seven to eight years.

In order to not disturb their organic and biodynamic vineyard, the system was ground mounted and all concrete foundations were locally sourced and made utilizing recycled materials.

Next time you visit the winery, make sure you take a trip to the back parking lot!