Local tour highlights innovative solar project at Barley Creek Brewing Company

Rep. Maureen Madden, Senator Rosemary Brown, and local residents join statewide enviro group PennEnvironment to discuss the benefits of going solar

Tannersville, PA – Local officials and residents joined CEO from Barley Creek Brewing Company and the nonprofit environmental group PennEnvironment for an informative tour of the brewery’s innovative solar project. The tour was held to educate Tannersville residents about the benefits of solar energy and how they can go solar if interested.

“There’s never been a better time for businesses to use the power of the sun to electrify their businesses,” said Madeleine Hepting, organizer for PennEnvironment. “Plentiful sunshine and generous solar incentives are here. Now more businesses in Pennsylvania just need to take advantage of them.”

Rep. Maureen Madden and local residents join PennEnvironment for a tour of Barley Creek Brewing Company’s solar-powered breweryPhoto by TPIN | TPIN

In 2010, Barley Creek Brewing Company installed a 165-panel rooftop solar array large enough to offset about 30% of its annual electricity usage. Given the brewery’s need to keep every room and vessel involved in the production process temperature controlled 24/7, they have high energy usage and subsequent costs. So, the panels allow them to save significantly on their utility bills while living their values as good stewards of the environment.

The brewery “just wants to be good to the earth,” said Barley Creek Brewing Company CEO Stephanie Rath. “And let our customers know that we are going to invest in our future and theirs.”

The solar array delivers significant savings to Barley Creek Brewing Company on their monthly electricity bill. Other businesses like breweries that want to follow suit have the added benefit of solar energy tax credits that can dramatically lower the price tag for going solar.

Solar energy is abundant, efficient and increasingly affordable, and businesses are often great candidates for rooftop solar panels. Harnessing more energy from the sun would mean cleaner air, a more stable climate, less strain on natural resources, and an energy source we can depend on to be virtually pollution-free for as long as we can imagine. Plus, going solar increases energy independence and reliability and allows businesses to save a ton of money on their utility bills.

“It’s imperative for all of us to be good stewards of the earth and good stewards of the environment,” said Representative Maureen Madden. “And with the federal grants that are available we are seeing more people in Monroe county, more homes, more places of worship, more schools starting to invest in solar to save energy and to be good stewards.”

Right now, Pennsylvania is currently ranked 48th in the nation for solar power. Barley Creek Brewing Company leaders hope that their array can inspire other breweries and businesses across Pennsylvania to follow their lead, choose clean energy, and help Pennsylvania become a solar leader.

PennEnvironment is holding events like this throughout the state to help spread the word about the benefits of going solar so that more houses of worship, nonprofits, businesses, and individuals can invest in a clean energy future too.