SolarCraft Brings Solar Energy to Napa Valley Restaurant

(April 2010)
Historic Long Meadow Ranch now using solar power

Novato-based SolarCraft announced the completion of a solar electric generating system at Long Meadow Ranch in St. Helena. The historic ranch in the Napa Valley is now powered by clean, green energy. Long Meadow Ranch installed solar energy to further their sustainable farming practices and stabilize rising electricity costs.

The 56 kW solar electric system powers the Ranch’s Farmstead Restaurant, and is roof mounted on the neighboring nursery buildings. The system consists of a combination of (195) Mitsubishi 185 watt solar panels and (88) SunPower 230 watt solar panels that power the restaurant with free energy from the sun. The new solar energy system is expected to generate 52,141 kilowatt hours annually, in addition to an existing 60 kW ground mount system powering the commercial facility and the Ranch’s main residence.

The new system will generate enough clean electricity each day to power 28 average homes. It will spare the air nearly 49 tons of harmful greenhouse gases annually, comparable to the air-filtering power of 10 acres of trees. Over the next 30 years, the air pollution saved will be equivalent to driving over 3.4 million miles. The system will pay for itself in approximately 6 years.

About Longmeadow Ranch

Long Meadow Ranch has been known as such since 1872 when it was established as an original "patent grant" ranch signed over by President Ulysses S. Grant. Long Meadow Ranch is an innovative organic farming operation, where it produces extraordinary red wine, extra virgin olive oil, grass-fed beef, eggs, and heirloom fruits and vegetables for Napa Valley's finest restaurants. Farmstead restaurant showcases seasonal, ingredient-driven American farmhouse cooking.

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