Marlborough Winery's Solar Array Targets Three-Year Payback

Speaking at an EECA (Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority) and New Zealand Winegrowers solar open day at the Marlborough winery in September, Rhyan said the company expects summer periods to enable 70% solar power from the panels, with an average close to 50% over a 12-month period. "If we can achieve that it will mean a payback period of three years."

The Coterie Site and Sustainability Manager Elizabeth Finlay told an engaged barrel-hall audience that the company had worked hard to reduce emissions across the operation, but when they ran out of opportunities, took "the next step", with solar installed on the winery roof in February, along with the purchase of three BYD plug-in hybrid work utes.

In the three weeks leading up to the event, the solar array supplied 50% of their power needs, and enabled a small amount of power to return to the grid. But Rhyan emphasised that the system was intentionally designed for their own use, without extra capacity for battery storage or the grid.

Ian Martella, from Callahan & Martella Electrical, also spoke at the event and cautioned against overengineering solar installations for battery or the grid, which can reduce financial viability. "We want you to use every last bit of energy you generate, and not sell it back." While a three-year ROI (return on investment) is "fantastic", Ian said he was happy with anything shorter than seven years.

Attendees also heard from Jacob Collins, Assistant Vineyard Manager at Brawn Vineyard Estates in the Lower Wairau, where a 30kWh solar and battery system was installed over winter. Brawn is one of 37 "demonstration farms" to receive funding from EECA, in order to assess how solar and batteries stack up in a primary operation. The vineyard, which is owned by The Coterie's Been and Susie Glover, also has a homestead, so the battery power is utilised at night, and offers the operation resilience. Meanwhile, The Coterie's BYD utes can also be charged at the vineyard, reducing emissions for both operations.

NZW General Manager Sustainability Dr Edwin Massy told attendees that as wine companies face the long-term challenge of climate change, alongside short-term profitability challenges, The Coterie was a "shining light of what can be done", reducing Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions as well as energy costs. "With solar across the board, the decision is getting easier and the numbers are getting stronger, and that's a really powerful incentive for change."

Scott Wilkinson, Commercial Manager at Marlborough Lines, gave insights into wider practical considerations for the grid, and ANZ Relationship Manager Hayden Payne discussed the Green Loan initiative, which was used by The Coterie for the installation.

NZW and EECA will run a webinar on 21 October, presenting ideas on the transition to solar, solar system sizing and design, vineyard and winery electrification and potential for batteries to maximise energy efficiency.

Register for the webinar at: nzwine.com/EECA-Webinar