How Can Breweries Harness Solar Energy?

There’s nothing better than enjoying a cold, refreshing beer on a sunny summer day. Many companies are incorporating solar energy into their breweries. Solar energy is being harnessed in a variety of innovative ways, allowing breweries to not only produce great beer but also contribute to a greener future. Let’s explore how the beer industry is using solar energy to brew a sustainable revolution.

Brewing with Sunshine

As the cost of solar energy continues to drop, and major companies increase their investment in renewable energy, industries around the world are turning to solar energy to power their facilities. The beer industry is no exception.

One of the main ways breweries can take advantage of the sun is by installing solar panels. These photovoltaic systems convert sunlight into electricity, providing renewable energy for the brewing process.

By installing solar panels on the roof of their facility, breweries can produce clean electricity to maintain their operations, including lighting, cooling, and heating systems. This reduces reliance on fossil fuels, reduces carbon emissions, and reduces energy costs in the long run.

Solar Thermal Systems

Beer brewing requires large amounts of hot water for the brewing process and equipment cleaning. To meet this demand, breweries are turning to solar thermal systems. These systems capture sunlight and convert it into heat, which is then used to heat water or other liquids. By installing solar thermal collectors, breweries can reduce their reliance on traditional heating methods, saving energy and reducing their carbon footprint.

Why do breweries need solar?

Brewing beer is a very energy-intensive process. Thanks to the Brewers Association, it’s easy to estimate how much energy the process uses and how much you could save on electricity by switching to solar power. For example, a small brewery producing 15,000 barrels of beer per year would consume 180,000 to 330,000 kWh of electricity, which translates to about $25,000 to $50,000 per year in electricity costs—and that’s just for the beer!

Breweries can save a lot of money on electricity by using solar power. To meet all their brewing electricity needs, a small brewery might need to install a system that’s several hundred kilowatts, depending on how the beer is produced and in which country.

Solar Breweries Save Money

The cost of solar panels is decreasing year by year. As costs decrease, more and more breweries are choosing to install solar panels, and the economic benefits are becoming more and more significant.

• Reduced carbon emissions

• Improved production reliability

• Reduced energy costs

Working together for a sustainable future

The beer industry is increasing its sustainability by incorporating solar energy into its operations. By installing solar panels, utilizing solar thermal systems, adopting off-grid solutions, and exploring solar-powered cars, breweries are reducing their carbon footprint and taking a major step toward a greener future. By embracing solar energy, breweries are not only demonstrating their commitment to sustainability, but also inspiring other industries to follow suit. So, the next time you sip a cold beer, raise a glass to the role the sun is playing in the beer industry’s sustainable revolution.