Just days after California rejected Proposition 23, effectively stomping out opposition to the state's cap-and-trade and renewable energy regulations, a Sonoma County winery has installed the first commercial-sale solar cogeneration product of its kind.
Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair was present as Cogenra Solar flipped the switch on its 272 kilowatt installation yesterday, providing renewable heat and electricity to the Sonoma Wine Company's operations.
"Cogenra’s technology merges the best photovoltaic and solar thermal technologies to meet two valuable industrial needs, low cost heat and electricity," said Cogenra CEO Dr. Gilad Almogy. "Our solution produces five times more energy and three times the greenhouse gas reductions over traditional solar offerings."
Heat and energy produced by the installation will be purchased by Sonoma Wine Company at guaranteed rates, with increases in prices to be hedged by Cogenra over the next 15 years, according to the company's Heat and Power Purchase Agreement.
The installation marks one of many renewable energy programs that have put California on the map as a hub for renewable energy innovation. Although certain tax and regulatory challenges have recently made it difficult to launch a green tech LLC in California, initiatives such as the Sonoma installation bring hopes of a greener future in the Golden state.
Tags : ca, operations, small business management
Posted: Nov 5th, 2010