Solar Crosses the Line

Solar power is inherently a part of the energy industry, but solar is not only about rooftop systems and lower electricity bills for homeowners. Solar power regularly crosses industry lines, proving that businesses – both large and small, corporate and public – need solar, too. Furthermore, by helping other industries save money, solar has the potential to make products and services other than electricity cheaper for consumers across the globe.

Following are five examples of how solar crosses industry lines. They represent evidence of how solar power already has a wide-ranging impact on industry in general and of the green economy’s avenues for growth.

1. Solar Schools. Across the nation, states and utilities are implementing programs to promote and install solar power on schools. New York, North Carolina and Texas are just a few states that offer incentives for schools to go solar.
2. Wining and Shining. At least one winery is stomping their grapes with solar. Far Niente Winery installed a 400 kW “Floatovoltaic” system at their facility in the Napa Valley. That’s more than enough energy to power the entire winery and a whole lot of solar savings.
3. Hospitality. Even the hospitality industry is getting in on the fun in the sun. Hotels both large and small are turning to solar to reduce their environmental impact and give customers a small taste of green living.
4. Restaurants. They may not use solar ovens, but a slew of restaurants – from Tallahassee, Florida to Silicon Valley –are switching to solar energy for power. And guess what…it’s good for business.
5. Down on the Farm. 10,300 solar panels combine to produce up to 1.9 MW of clean, solar power for Bolthouse Farms in Palmdale, CA. This gargantuan project was very recently completed and should cover almost 80 percent of the farm’s electricity needs.

Solar Crosses the Line