Business & Tech

Murrieta's HelioPower Completes Solar Job For CA Grape Grower

Headquartered on Jefferson Avenue in Murrieta, HelioPower announces completion of work on a large-scale solar energy project for a Bakersfield table grape grower.

Murrieta-based along with Canadian Solar Inc. announced last week the completion of a large-scale commercial photovoltaic system for Guimarra Vineyards Corporation in Bakersfield.

The 516-kilowatt system will allow Guimarra Vineyards, one of the largest table grape growers in the U.S., to fulfill its clean energy initiative, according to a news release. The installation uses 2,296 Canadian Solar 225P PV modules and HelioPower’s integrated turnkey energy solutions to power Giumarra Vineyards' main production and cold storage facility.

The company's history of cultivating grapes goes back more than 80 years in Central California.

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“Giumarra Vineyards has always been a proponent of sustainable and innovative practices for viticulture and other fresh produce," said Guimarra Vineyards Corporation President Sal Guimarra, in a news release.

"This installation is a significant milestone in our sustainability program and effort to reduce electricity consumption throughout our growing and packing operations.

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“Canadian Solar and HelioPower’s solar installation expertise was instrumental in our ability to further develop distributed clean energy sources to offset costs and carbon emissions.”  

A company with customers worldwide, Canadian Solar, Inc. designs, manufactures and delivers solar products and solar system solutions for on-grid and off-grid use.

Alan King, general manager for Canadian Solar USA in San Ramon, said he expects the installation will yield great financial savings for the vineyard.

"We are proud to be partnering with Giumarra Vineyards as it embraces the environmentally friendly, clean power of solar energy," King said. "We applaud management’s commitment to renewable energy and sustainable business practices.”

HelioPower provided design, engineering, construction and utility commissioning for the project that was commissioned in September 2011 and delivered on schedule and within budget, the news release stated.

“Giumarra Vineyards is pioneering sustainable energy practices in Kern County, demonstrating how growers and food processors in the San Joaquin Valley can successfully implement financially attractive clean energy installations,” said Mo Rousso, chief operating officer of HelioPower. 

“With the help of Canadian Solar’s strong support and its extensive knowledge, our team was able to leverage all available incentives to deliver a financially viable project, reducing Giumarra’s energy costs and supporting their sustainability strategy," Rousso said.


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