Craft Beer
Solar
We help breweries receive a USDA grant for purchasing a solar system to fully power their operations.
These funds can offset all electrical expenses and allow the brewery to receive free energy for over 25 years with a system payback in under 1 year.
Advantages for Your Business
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Lower Operating Costs
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Clean Energy Branding
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Avoid Rising Electrical Prices
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Payback Typically < 1 Year
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Your Competitors Are Doing It
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Free Solar Assessment
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Interest Free Loans
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Huge Tax Savings
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25 Year Guarantee
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USA Made Panels
How It Works
6 Steps to Energy Independence
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01 Contact
Give us a call or send us an email and we will answer any questions you have about the program. There are often many things that owners want to ask and we take the time to ensure you understand the whole process.
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02 Energy Usage
You send us a copy of your latest energy bill so that we can design and size the system. Our technical team will determine if we can install the panels on an existing roof structure or if a ground mounted system is better. We will also determine the number of panels required to power the brewery and tap house.
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03 Financial Plan
Our team will present a technical and financial plan for the project. There is no cost for performing the assessment and delivering the report.
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04 USDA Grant
If you decide to move forward, our grant writers fill out all of the necessary paperwork to ensure you obtain all available state and local benefits. We have a 100% approval rate on the grants we have submitted.
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05 Permitting and Installation
We obtain all necessary permits and schedule the install with our certified solar team.
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06 Free Energy
Your brewery transitions from just producing beer to also producing all of its own energy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the process for powering my brewery and tap house?
Give us a call and we will answer any questions you have about the program. We will ask you send us a copy of your latest energy bill so that we can design and size the system. Our technical team will determine if we can install the panels on an existing roof structure or if a ground mounted system is better. We will also determine the number of panels required to power the brewery. Our team will present a technical and financial plan for the project. There is no cost for performing the assessment. If you decide to move forward, our grant writers fill out all of the necessary paperwork to ensure you obtain all available state and local benefits. We have a 100% approval rate on the grants we have submitted. We obtain all permits and schedule the install and when powered on, your brewery enjoys free, American Made, energy for over 25 years.
What is the payback period?
The USDA's Infrastructure Reduction Act approved billions of dollars to help rural areas convert to solar power. This federal grant can be coupled with state funds where available and there are also significant accelerated depreciation benefits that allow many clients to fully fund their system. The panels can be fully depreciated over 5 years with over 37% deducted in year one! It is very often the case that the payback period is under one year.
Why are breweries going solar now?
There are many reasons for any business to go solar, but the owners we speak with most frequently cite their reason as:
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Take advantage of the federal and state incentives before they expire
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Cost savings and lowering operations expenses.
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Protect against rising electricity prices
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Good for my brand image and many of my competitors are already solar powered
This sounds a little too good to be true! What's the catch?
We agree that it sounds great! That is why we create a free, written proposal detailing both the solar design and the financial proposal with all grants, deductions and rebates explained in detail. We encourage all of our clients to share the proposal with their existing trusted financial and tax advisors so that they can independently validate the program and our financial model with you directly. We can also put you in touch directly with the USDA so that you can ask them questions about the program.
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If you would like to learn more about the program on US Government Websites, here are some links:
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Rural Development State Energy Coordinators
USDA Rural Development Eligibility Map
Distressed and Disadvantaged Communities Map
7CFR 4280, Subpart B - Program Governance
Title IX of the Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018 - Program Authorization
How long does the USDA program last?
This program is designed to last until the funds are all spent. There is some urgency in getting your grant submitted before the funds are all allocated and the program ends.
I do not own our building. Can I get solar if my landlord agrees?
You can get solar but you will not qualify for the grant unfortunately.
Are solar panels dangerous?
Nope. There are no gasses or moving parts in a solar panel. It is basically a panel of glass with some electrical components wrapped in an aluminum case. No noise, no health risk to humans or animals, lots of free energy.
How long do the panels last?
Our panels come with a 25 year warranty. No moving parts, no oils, no belts .... by design they are exceptionally stable and durable. The panels we use are made in the USA and qualify for an additional 10% off of the system cost because they are manufactured domestically. Additionally, the mounting systems are rated to withstand 160 MPH winds.
What happens at night and on cloudy days?
As part of the install, we swap out your existing power meter with a "net meter". When your system is producing more energy that the business is using, the meter runs backward. At night when the system is not producing, the meter takes energy off of the grid just like it does today. We typically design the systems so that the business uses no "net" energy from the power company. You will still need to pay your provider's monthly connection fees, but these are typically nominal.
Does performance degrade over time?
Nominally. It is likely that the system will be producing in the 86% range even when they are 25 years old.
I typically pay very little in taxes. How can the depreciation and tax incentives help me?
This is a very common scenario for a new brewery that is not yet profitable and fortunately we have a solution. We have cultivated a market of folks who are looking to purchase tax credits to offset liabilities. We can help broker a deal so that you can transfer your unneeded tax credits to an entity that can use them. The purchaser typically pays a discounted rate (around 80%) but this allows your dairy to immediately monetize the incentives that would otherwise have little value for you.
Tell me more about the tax credits
Depending on your location, you can qualify for 40-50% of the system cost in tax credits. Any taxes paid over the previous 3 years can be reclaimed by applying credits and amending those returns. If there is a balance left over, the remainder can be used to offset taxes for the next 22 years.
Break it down for me. How does this work in practice?
OK...Say your system costs $100,000 installed. Within 6 months of going live, you will receive a check from the USDA for $50,000. You can use that money however you like, but most folks put it in an account to pay off the loan.
Additionally, if you paid $40,000 in federal taxes between 2021 and 2023...your accountant can amend those returns and get the money refunded to you.
And, you can depreciate the cost fo the system over the next 6 years with 37% depreciation in the first year.
We can help you get a no money down 5-year loan so that you really just need to cover the first few monthly payments until the grant money is awarded and then you can pay yourself back and have money left over to cover a full half of the loan. Meanwhile, you can apply tax credits and take depreciation over the first few years to fund the system while paying no electrical biill other than a low connection fee.
