Press Release

November 15, 2008

Contact:  Danuta Pfeiffer 541-998-2828

 

PFEIFFER WINERY

GOES SOLAR

 

First Lane County Winery Run by The Sun

 

Media Event and Photo Opportunity

Tuesday, November 18

11 A.M.-Noon

 

Pfeiffer Winery

25040 Jaeg Road

Junction City, Oregon

 

AES Presentation

Robin and Danuta Pfeiffer

Blachly Lane Representative

 

Junction City, — Not only wine grapes are run by the sun these days.  Pfeiffer Winery, located just west of Junction City is the only winery in Lane County and one of a handful across the state to be powered by the sun.

 

Owners Robin and Danuta Pfeiffer say their motivation to go solar is an extension of their “green” home they built 8 years ago. Robin Pfeiffer says, “We built a concrete home powered by ground, water and solar heat sources, and it just made sense to expand that idea of sustainability to the rest of the property.” 

 

The solar panels, installed by Advanced Energy Systems of Eugene, adorn the south-facing roof lines of Pfeiffer Winery and are expected to generate up to 27 kilowatts of electricity– enough to power not only the winery and their new tasting room, but the Pfeiffer’s residence as well. “What’s really a kick,” Robin Pfeiffer says, “During sunny days, we watch the meter run backwards—feeding back energy to Blachly Lane’s electric grid.”

 

“And,” Danuta Pfeiffer says, “The dials on the converter boxes indicate how many pounds of carbon we’re saving each day. That’s a big plus.”

 

The solar panels make electricity anytime there’s enough sun for a shadow to be visible.

 

Solar systems installed in 2008 enjoy a 30 percent federal tax credit, in addition to the 50 percent Oregon Business Energy Tax Credit. Pfeiffer Winery expects to have a five-year payback on its $216,000 investment. According to AES data, the system will save an equivalent of 800 tons of CO2, 2,400 planted trees or 81,800 gallons of gasoline.

 

A media event is planned for this Tuesday, November 18 from 11 to noon. 

 

The public is invited to view the solar panels during Pfeiffer Winery’s three-day Thanksgiving Weekend Open House.

 

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