Solar United Neigbors
Brews from the Sun
by Jamie Barrie
In addition to The National Solar Tour, which Solar United Neighbors co-hosts with the American Solar Energy Society was recently held on October 5th and 6th, allowing people interested in learning more about going solar to tour their homes and businesses and learn the benefits of going solar right from the mouths of people that have made the switch. Another event that has businesses talking about the benefits of going solar are Brews from the Sun Competition which is an annual competition by Solar United Neighbors’ to crown America’s Favorite Solar Craft Brewery. Each spring, solar- powered craft breweries from across the country will compete during 6 weeks of public voting to receive the most votes and be crowned America’s Favorite Solar Craft Brewery in three different categories: I f you have been following along the last few months then you know that Spot- light on Business has been working with Carra Cheslin, Director of Engagement and Ben Delman, Communications Director of Solar United Neighbors to get the word out about the non-profit that started in Wash- ington, D.C. back in 2007 when Solar United Neighbors Executive Director was asked by her son, if they could go solar. Spoiler Alert, she did and along the way built an organiza- tion that now supports communities, home- owners and businesses in 13 states and has overseen over 4,100 installations for a total of 32 megawatts of electricity. Well if you are a regular reader of the magazine then you also know that we have a continuing series on Craft Brewing, well this month we are combining them both as we spotlight Solar United Neighbors’ Brews from the Sun event and the businesses that are using solar in the pursuit of the perfect pint.
• BrewPub – Which according to the Brewer’s Association is a restaurant-brewery that sells 25 percent or more of its beer on site. The beer is brewed primarily for sale in the restaurant and bar. The beer is often dispensed directly from the brewery’s storage tanks. Where allowed by law, brewpubs often sell beer “to go” and /or distribute to off site accounts. Note: BA re-categorizes a company as a microbrewery if its off-site (distributed) beer sales exceed 75 percent. • Microbreweries - Which according to the Brewer’s Association is a brewery that produces less than 15,000 barrels (17,600 hectoliters) of beer per year with 75 percent or more of its beer sold off-site. Microbreweries sell to the public by one or more of the following methods: the traditional three-tier system (brewer to wholesaler to retailer to consumer); the two-tier system (brewer acting as wholesaler to retailer to consumer); and, directly to the consumer through carry-outs and/or on-site tap-room or restaurant sales. • Regional Breweries - Which according to the Brewer’s Association is an independent regional brewery with a majority of volume in “traditional” or “innovative” beer(s).
The 2019 Brews from the Sun Competition had 8 Brewpubs, 21 Microbreweries and 15 Regional Breweries sign up toparticipate in the competition with the public voting on their favorite power beer. Voting this year took place from May 6th - June 15th. More than 140 craft breweries from 38 different states around the country have installed solar panels to help power their operations. Their solar systems range from 4.2 kW - 2.1 MW in size, and include solar panels installed on warehouse buildings, parking shade structures, farmhouses, ground mounts, and even as the roof of a beer garden, how innovative.
When Solar United Neighbors announced the winners of its Brews from the Sun competition to crownAmerica’s Favorite Solar Craft Brewery, Maui Brewing Company of Hawaii placed first in the regional brewery category, Mad Mole Brewing of North Carolina won in the microbrewery category, and Canal Park Brewing Company of Minnesota took the crown in the brewpub category. In total, 44 breweries competed across the three categories. Sponsored by BrewSavor™ which is a new product line dedicated to tubing and hoses used for craft and home brewing and dispensing now offered by NewAge® Industries, a solar- powered manufacturer of fluid transfer systems used in the brewing process, Brews from the Sun brought together solar and craft beer enthusiasts from around the country.
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NOVEMBER 2019 • SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS MAGAZINE
SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS MAGAZINE • NOVEMBER 2019
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