Nelson Family Vineyards Achieves 100% Renewable Energy With Innovative Solar Setup

Nelson Family Vineyards, a 74-year-old, 1,800-acre farm in Mendocino County, California, has made a groundbreaking transition to 100% renewable energy. The family-run vineyard has installed a floating photovoltaic (FPV) system on an irrigation pond, complementing an existing solar system on the winery’s roof. This innovative setup is expected to generate approximately 200,000 kWh of electricity annually, powering the winery, agricultural pumps, tasting room, shop, and 12 on-site homes. The FPV system, designed and installed by Noria Energy, a local contractor, allows the vineyard to operate entirely on clean energy without sacrificing any agricultural land.

This is a significant achievement, as it enables the farm to utilize its full 1,800 acres for agriculture and supporting wildlife habitat. The project is also projected to save Nelson Family Vineyards an estimated $90,000 annually, substantially reducing operating costs. Tyler Nelson, the owner of Nelson Family Vineyards, expressed enthusiasm for the investment, stating that becoming energy independent will have a major and immediate impact on the operation.

He emphasized that the system does not take a single acre of land out of production, allowing the farm to focus on what matters most – agriculture and supporting wildlife habitat.