Vermont Business MagazineFresh off the canning line, Rock Art Brewery’s first solar-powered beer,Sun Rocked IPA, provided the perfect toast for a historic moment for both Rock Art Brewery and Vermont brewing history. On Tuesday June 27th, Rock Art Brewery became the first Vermont brewery to fully offset its electricity needs with solar. SunCommon, of Waterbury, helped the 20-year-old, family-owned brewery realize a longstanding goal to go solar by installing a 200-panel, 67 kW array on the brewery’s rooftop in Morrisville.
“Beer brewing and packaging uses a lot of energy. We’re always looking for ways to reduce our environmental impact and solar was a perfect fit. We can run our machinery on sunshine – why not? To celebrate going solar we’re brewing up a delicious Sun Rocked IPA with nice tropical fruit, berries and citrus flavors - everything that summer sunshine represents,” said Matt Nadeau, co-owner of Rock Art Brewery.
“At SunCommon, our commercial program focuses on helping Vermont businesses reduce their energy costs, so they can spend on what matters – like serving amazing, local beer,” said Mike McCarthy, Solar Project Consultant for SunCommon.
“There’s an energy source hitting our roof everyday and all we needed to do was work with SunCommon to put some equipment up there to capture it - that’s it, it was easy. We’re now investing in our own solar system instead of an electric bill. It’s a win-win,” said Nadeau of Rock Art Brewery.
SunCommon, Vermont’s largest residential solar company, launched its commercial solar program last year to extend its popular no upfront cost solar offering to local businesses looking to save money, control their energy spending, and power with clean energy.
“There are three things that make a commercial solar project work,” said McCarthy of SunCommon. “Do you have a place for solar? Do you have a power bill? Can you use the tax incentives? If you’re paying taxes and paying a power bill, solar is a great fit. The roof of your business is a valuable, untapped asset. Why not put that roof to work for you with solar?”
Businesses can fuel the local economy by investing in their own energy, keeping dollars close to home.
“The Lamoille Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to supporting collaborative efforts made by our member businesses. We are especially pleased to support this collaboration between SunCommon and Rock Art Brewery as it is a shining example of how a local business with large energy demands can partner with a clean and renewable energy provider for the benefit of both businesses, our environment, our community, and our local economy,” said Deborah Carroll, Executive Dir. of the Lamoille Region Chamber of Commerce.
Vermont is a solar leader ranking in the top spots nationally for both solar installation and jobs. Approximately 1 in 25 Vermont homes is solar-powered and Vermont is home to the most solar jobs per capita according to the2017 Clean Energy Industry Report.
“More and more of our customers are environmentally conscious and it’s good for them to see our solar array as an example of clean energy at work,” said Nadeau of Rock Art Brewery. “The visibility of our solar array will spark conversations in the community, the brewery and beyond. We’re doing our part to be renewable and sustainable and our customers value that. I’m looking forward to sharing our solar story.”
Rock Art Brewery’s commitment to fully offsetting their electricity needs with solar is historic and pushes the Vermont beer industry toward a clean energy future.
“The Vermont Brewers Association is extremely proud of the effort Rock Art has made to go 100% solar to fully offset their brewery's electrical needs. Not only is Rock Art the first in the state to do this, but they are a leader in the country as well. Vermont breweries have been pushing the beer industry to innovate, and Rock Art's decision to run on the sun is leading the pack,” said Melissa Corbin, Exec. Director of the Vermont Brewers Association. “Cheers to Rock Art’s new solar-powered offering, Sun Rocked IPA, which they’ll be pouring at the Vermont BrewersFestival on the Burlington WaterfrontJuly 21st and 22nd!”
AboutSunCommon:
As Vermont’s largest solar business, SunCommonbelieves that everyone has the right to a healthy environment and brighter future – and renewable energy is where it starts. Energy from the sun can power our lives and build vibrant communities. Our mission is to tear down barriers to clean energy and use our business as a force for good.
SunCommon was chartered as one of Vermont's pioneering Benefit Corporations and is a Certified BCorp based on a rigorous third party assessment of our commitment to the triple bottom line of people, planet and profit. The business is headquartered in Waterbury where most of our 100 workers operate out of Vermont’s largest net-positive office building, which produces more energy than it uses. For more information, go towww.suncommon.comand connect with us on Facebook and Twitter @suncommon.
AboutRock Art Brewery:
Matt Nadeau is the self- proclaimed crazy 1990’s home brewer who took the advice of family, friends and launched Rock Art Brewery in 1997. The mission of Rock Art Brewery is simple: sell the best beer, brew each beer so it is unique, and have FUN! Matt enjoys creating new beers much like cooking at home, tasting how various flavors and techniques combine in the enjoyment of a new beer.
The brewery opened at Matt and Renee’s home in 1997 and moved from Johnson to Morrisville in 2001. In 2011, Matt built a new brewery just a mile down the road and moved everything over. The 10,000 square foot brewery,with a larger tasting room and Vermont gift shop, features 8 beers on tap for sampling.
2017 is Rock Art’s 20th anniversary and we are proud to have reached a goal of becoming 100% solar powered! All electrical needs are being met by the sun’s energy. VBM vermontbiz.com
Source:SunCommon 6.27.2017