Solar electric system fulfills lifelong dream! This 5.8 kW grid-tied solar electric system is a long-time dream of environmental activist Sherry Vaughan. Here’s Sherry’s inspiring story as she tells it:

“I have owned my home in Swannanoa for three years. High on my bucket list for home ownership has always been powering my home with the energy of the sun. 2 years ago I got an estimate from Sundance Power Systems to install roof top solar on my home. It was $2000 more in cost then than the estimate I got this year. Also, this year Duke Energy is offering a rebate for installing solar. Time to do it! In addition, I chose to move quickly before the impact of tariffs raised the cost of panels.

Sundance installed a 5.8 kW solar electric system with 20 solar panels (REC Solar 290W). My annual power usage is about 9000 kWh. My solar system will power 7479 kWh of that. I couldn’t be happier with my installation experience with Sundance Power Systems! My process was very smooth and on schedule. I was surprised how many people are involved in this process; from developing my proposal to permitting to project management to the solar panel installers to Duke installing a new meter box – my process seemed without challenge. My installers were so sweet and said some roofs have multiple pitches, causing installation challenges. My install was straight forward and quick, happening in 3 days. Some people prefer not to have their panels visible from the street. I would have welcomed showing off my panels from the street, but panel location is all about maximum sun exposure.

I am a proud environmental activist. Powering my home with solar meets my need to “walk my talk”. (Sherry’s system will offset approximately 5.6 metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) annually. That’s the equivalent of carbon sequestered by 6.6 acres of forest!)  I’ve been a Green Granny who sings for the climate. I am a member of 2 environmental groups: 350.org, which we organized to march in Washington against the Keystone XL pipeline and Western North Carolina Renewables Coalition, or WNCRC.  Currently we are working with Buncombe County and the City of Asheville writing a resolution to become 100% fossil free by 2050.  I am also an avid veggie and flower gardener with beautiful sun flowers. My home displays many sun medallions that reflect my love and appreciation of the sun.

Together with Sundance Power Systems I celebrated my joy of becoming a solar powered home with a Solarbration near the Summer Solstice! My family, friends and neighbors enjoyed a lovely summer afternoon together with a Sundance tent and Erika and other Sundancers on hand to answer questions. I haven’t received any bills yet from Duke to measure cost savings, but my experience with Sundance has been delightful.”

Sherry’s delight is ours as well, as it is incredibly gratifying to see her become empowered with solar after all this time. We first met this amazing woman at least 5 years ago, when she would come out to Downtown After 5 and dance to solar-powered music, and share her enthusiasm for Sol’s energy as a solution to so many of our environmental and social challenges.  Her passion is strong, and at least one of her friends that attended her Solarbration has been inspired to go solar as well. This is how we are becoming a clean energy community!

This 16.25 kw net-metered system with Duke Energy consists of 57 Sunmodule Plus 285 watt panels and SolarEdge DC Optimization Technology.

Robert Sipes of Duke Energy, and a Sundance customer, shares his solar story below:

“My wife Alison and I have moved 17 times since we were married 34 years ago.  After we moved from Asheville to Raleigh in 2009 we agreed that we only had one more move left in us and that was back to Asheville where we’d ultimately retire.  When the opportunity to move back presented itself we decided that the home we’d move into and hopefully spend the rest of our lives in, had to be everything we wanted, including environmentally friendly.  We couldn’t find an existing home that met our needs so we decided to build.  In 2014 our dream home was complete with one major exception – it didn’t have solar installed.

Alison and I believe strongly that we as a society have to transition to clean and sustainable forms of energy.  In my job at Duke Energy, I’m responsible for what we call our Western Carolinas Modernization Project which involves working together with folks outside of the company to help make that transition happens in ways that don’t compromise the reliability or affordability of the electricity that our customers depend on.  It’s a big challenge but one that I love and embrace.  Installing solar on our house just made good sense to us as one of the ways we could/should personally support the change that has to occur.

One of the key factors in deciding on the lot we bought for our home was its suitability for solar.  We found a great location that faces slightly east of due south, so everything from there fell neatly into place for the most part. We’ve had no regrets with our decision to install solar on our home.  The only thing I’d think about doing differently would be to try and figure out a way to incorporate battery storage into the system.  At the time, we just couldn’t make the economics work.  Since then, the price of batteries has continued to drop and Duke Energy is working on ways to help offset the cost of batteries for home and business owners.  I’m hoping that we’ll be able to start offering something sometime soon.

We have a 16 kW system and we almost produce as much electricity as we use.  Our goal is to continue identifying ways we can be more efficient, so we can get to the point that we produce as much as we use.  I’ve installed an energy monitoring system in our house, so I can track how we use energy and take steps to improve.  Over the past couple of years, we’ve reduced our overall electricity use by around 12%.  I’m very excited that in a few months Duke Energy will begin installing smart meters on every home and business in this area.  These smart meters will give all of our customers a tool that they can use, very much like my energy monitoring system, so they can identify ways that they can be more efficient and save money!

Our system is virtually invisible, so people don’t know we have it unless we tell them.  That said, once folks find out that we have solar their first comment is almost always “You work for Duke Energy and you have solar?”  After I explain why we have it and how it works, they get really interested in how it can make sense for them.  I’m very pleased that, hopefully, Duke Energy will begin offering incentives for roof top solar systems soon.  When that happens, I think a lot of those people who’ve been on the fence about putting in a system will go ahead and take the plunge.  Sundance and Duke Energy worked together with many other stakeholders from around the state to put together a program that should really help increase the number of roof top systems that are installed.  We’re keeping our fingers crossed that the program gets approved very soon.”

Having Robert share his perspective on embracing solar at his home is very encouraging, and we take it as a great honor that he said “Sundance was great to work with.  I began my career doing electrical construction work and still do some work for myself and friends.  As a result, I have very high standards for the quality of work that is done.  The quality of work that Sundance did EXCEEDED my expectations!  Their techs were highly skilled and their attention to detail was amazing.  They were also super easy to work with.”  The sentiments are mutual, and we look forward to seeing Robert’s work in leading Duke Energy towards a new energy paradigm in our region.

System Specifications-

16.25 kW net-metered system with Duke Energy

– 57 SolarWorld’s Sunmodule  Plus 285 watt  monocrystalline solar panels

– Flush mount Power Rail by Preformed Line Products

– SolarEdge’s residential DC Optimization technology and monitoring

The annual production for this system was estimated to be 19.4 megawatt hours, but SolarEdge’s monitoring platform shows that this has been exceeded with 21.7 and 20.7 MWhs produced in 2016 and 20.7 respectively. Since its installation at the end of 2015 the system has produced 44.61 MWhs of electricity, which has the environmental benefits of 1,740 trees planted!

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Professional Bio (2015)

Robert Sipes is the vice-president of the Western Carolinas Modernization initiative for Duke Energy.  In that role, Robert is responsible for leading Duke Energy’s efforts to transform the way electricity is produced, distributed, and used in western NC.  A significant part of Robert’s work includes his involvement in the Energy Innovation Task Force whose members include a diverse cross section of community leaders.  It was formed through a partnership between the City of Asheville, Buncombe County, and Duke Energy.  The work of the task force is focused on driving solutions to today’s electric energy related challenges through collaboration and partnership.  Later this spring the task force will be launching its Blue Horizons campaign to raise awareness and drive action by all of the residents of Asheville and Buncombe County to achieve the cleaner, smarter, and affordable energy future that we all desire.

Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.’s state-of the-art brewery in Mills River, NC demonstrates several leading-edge sustainability measures, including on- site solar electric generation. With a combined capacity of 710 kilowatts DC, two separate photovoltaic systems produce a significant amount of the electricity used in their operations. The rooftop array covers nearly two acres on the facility’s packing and warehouse, while nine parking lot canopies are strikingly visible to the public. They also provide shading, reducing the heat island effect, and enhancing the experience for visitors.

Rooftop Array 

• System Size: 650 kW DC
• Estimated Annual Production: 852,857 kWh
• PV Modules: (2,030) Kyocera 320W Modules
• Racking: Daetwyler Eco-Top Mounting System
• Inverters: Solectria (1) 250 kW, (1) 300 kW
• Monitoring: Deck (string level)
• CO2 Offset: 588 metric tons

Parking Lot Canopies

• System Size: 60 kW DC
• Estimated Annual Production: 50,053 kWh
• PV Modules: (198) Suniva 305 watt modules
• Racking: Custom design
• Inverters: Solectria (1) 50 kW
• Monitoring: Deck (zone level)
• CO2 Offset: 5 metric tons

Sierra Nevada Brewing chose Asheville, NC as the location for their East Coast brewery and they deserve three big cheers for arriving here with an impressive suite of strong values and high standards. These values are manifest in their collaborative efforts, community-mindedness, and commitment to sustainability. Founder Ken Grossman was quoted early on in the process saying “For years, we’ve considered a second brewing location. The recent growth of craft beer in the eastern USA, combined with the environmental impact of shipping all the way across the country, made a second brewing location the most sustainable solution for us moving forward. In North Carolina, we were humbled by the community, its values and the outstanding craft beer culture in the area… Mills River and the Asheville area feel like a great fit for us; a close-knit community with outstanding quality of life, shared values and access to the outdoors.” Considering they reviewed over 200 sites, being selected for the home to their expansion speaks to WNC’s strengths and resources.

Asheville has long been recognized as a mecca for craft beer, with one of the highest numbers of breweries per capita anywhere in the United States.  The Asheville Brewers Alliance, true to its mission to “promote regionally produced beers and exchange knowledge and support between our members for the betterment and enrichment of the beer community” welcomed Sierra Nevada, forging a win-win collaborative relationship, rather than a competitive one. While a thriving market made this area a strong choice, the allure of WNC’s mountains and natural resources, especially clean water, a critical element to making quality beer, were also paramount in the siting decision. Much of the site’s 180 acres bordering the French Broad River are being revitalized with hiking trails, garden spaces and river access, creating a hub for outdoor recreation that has always been close to the heart of Sierra Nevada.

A strong environmental ethos, along with a creative, innovate spirit to make the most out of everything, led the development of Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. since being founded in 1980 in Chico, California. The company’s commitment to sustainability has been a cornerstone of their success, and they’ve raised the bar on many levels. Their 2012 Sustainability Report is an impressive account of their efforts to “maintain a healthy balance between environmental stewardship, social equity, and economic stability,” and is specifically aimed at three main goals: promote zero waste action, increase work space efficiencies, and lead by example to inspire change. Their basic approach “is to close the loop” wherever and whenever possible. “We look for opportunities to bring materials leaving our facility – such as heat, water, and packaging – back into our production process.”

Apparently, nothing escapes the scrutiny of the Sustainability Department in Chico, as Sierra Nevada received Platinum Zero Waste Certification from the US Zero Waste Business Council, making them the first company ever to reach that status. An audit showed that 99.8 percent of its waste was successfully diverted, often becoming a valuable resource for another process in their operations. Scraps from the restaurant are composted for use in the gardens, while waste vegetable oil is converted into biodiesel on site and used in their truck fleet.  Spent grain, hops and yeast are fed to cattle on local farms, including Sierra Nevada’s own herd. Biogas from the wastewater treatment plant is captured and used to fuel the boilers. They even go so far as to recover Carbon Dioxide from the fermentation tanks, and use it for pressurizing and moving beer through pipes and in bottling it.

Energy is also approached with uber-efficiency at Sierra Nevada, and heat recovery units on boilers, fuel cells, and brew kettles reclaim waste heat, rather than venting it.  Of course, they also soak up the solar energy spilling on their site, with one of the largest privately owned solar systems in the country.  Two megawatts of capacity, between several arrays, including one on their rail spur, generate nearly 20 % of the electricity used at the site.

Expanding upon this strong legacy of sustainability established over years of continually striving to do better, the new brewery is poised to model leading edge technology and operations.  “Our team is eager to apply lessons learned in Chico as well as new thinking to our North Carolina brewery,” stated Ken Grossman. Their stated goal is to earn a minimum of silver leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification, but when it is said and done Gold or even Platinum level wouldn’t come as a surprise.

The inclusion of on-site solar generation will contribute to this goal, and Sundance was extremely proud to be awarded the contract for the installations. Sierra Nevada committed to work with local vendors, suppliers, and installers, and this is also valued in the LEED ratings. Cheri Chastain, Sustainability Manager said of the system “Integrating renewable energy into our Mills River facility was an important part of our project design.  Mirroring our Chico, California brewery’s diverse approach to renewable energy, we decided to couple biogas powered microturbines with photovoltaic technology in North Carolina.  Sundance Power Systems designed and installed our 710 kW solar system which covers a warehouse roof and features canopies in our parking lot.  We are looking forward to enjoying many years of renewable energy from the system.”

The 650 KW rooftop system consists of over two thousand 320 watt photovoltaic modules manufactured by Kyocera. This array expands over nearly two acres on top of the packing hall and warehouse. Daetwyler’s Eco-Top Rooftop Mounting System with Built-In Wire Management uses durable recycled rubber ballast pads to protect the integrity the roof, and is manufactured regionally in NC. Two Solectria inverters (250 and 300 kW) prepare the electricity for interconnection with Duke Energy, and production is monitored through a Deck package.  The parking lot canopy system, with a collective capacity of 62 kW, is made up of nine umbrella-like canopies, each fitted with twenty-two 315 watt modules. A 50 watt Solectria inverter connects this system to the grid. These canopies are strikingly visible to visitors and provide cool shading in the parking lot, reducing the heat island effect.

Sundance Power Systems is honored to have been selected for this landmark project. We take pride in helping Sierra Nevada Brewing achieve their renewable energy goals and hope that more companies follow their example of sustainability and community engagement!