Constellation Wines U.S. installing 1-MW solar system at Monterey County winery

Constellation Wines U.S. has begun installing a 1-megawatt solar power system at its Gonzales Winery in Monterey County, saying it is the world’s largest winery solar installation.

The system will cover 170,000 square feet of the roof at the main winery warehouse and is expected to produce more than 1.7 million kilowatt-hours of electricity per year. That amounts to about 50 percent of the winery’s average energy requirements.

Constellation Wines U.S., a subsidiary of giant Constellation Brands Inc. (NYSE: STZ) of Fairport, N.Y., is committed to investing in sustainable production technology, said Jose Fernandez, chief executive officer at Constellation Wines North America.

“This installation is one of the most significant environmental projects undertaken to date by the wine industry, and will have a positive impact on the environment, as well as being cost-effective,” Fernandez said.

In the summer months, when the winery is not crushing grapes, the system will export enough electricity to Pacific Gas & Electric Co.’s lines to power about 25 percent of the 1,695 households in Gonzales, said Kelly McMahon, sales director for Pacific Power Management of Auburn, which is managing and financing the solar system at Gonzales Winery.

The installation will include 6,358 Mitsubishi 185-watt solar panels. Constellation Wines expects to complete the project by the end of this year.

The Gonzales Winery, formerly known as the Blackstone Winery and located in the city of Gonzales, produces wines distributed by VineOne, the premium and super-premium wine division of Constellation Wines U.S.

Wine brands produced there include Black Box, Blackstone Winemakers Select, Robert Mondavi Private Selection, Solaire by Robert Mondavi and Hayman & Hill.