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Burrowing Owl hosts first “Solar Day”

May 14, 2018  By Fruit and Veg magazine



The Okanagan’s Burrowing Owl Estate Winery is celebrating its commitment to renewable energy by declaring Tuesday, May 15, 2018 “Solar Day” at the winery.

The winery will be hosting local media and guests, with a glass of Burrowing Owl’s first wine release of 2018, the 2017 Pinot Gris. Follow the story at #SolarDay.

Burrowing Owl has long been dedicated to sustainable winemaking, and it’s leading the way once again with the installation of five large solar systems on its estate properties.

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The winery’s investments into alternative energy over the past dozen years include the following:

  • In 2006, the winery installed its first solar panels, producing the equivalent of 53,000 kWh annually in the form of hot water
  • In 2016, the winery’s staff house in Osoyoos became a “NET ZERO” building with addition of 116 solar panels
  • A cellar expansion completed in 2017 with a roof blanketed by 70 solar panels. The electricity provided by the panels will offset approximately 12.9 tons of CO2 emissions per year
  • A 2017 visitor parking structure designed to provide shade and rain protection, topped by 106 solar panels that will offset 27 tons of CO2 every year.
  • 2017 – Our 45,000 sq. ft Oliver warehouse with a south-facing roof covered by 160 panels to capture solar energy, offsetting 30 tons of carbon annually and producing 60,000 kWh annually.

That’s enough energy to provide heat and air conditioning for this large building, giving it a carbon footprint of “NET ZERO”.

In addition, the winery has also installed eight new electric vehicle charging stations, which visitors and staff may use at no cost. For more information, visit: https://www.burrowingowlwine.ca/


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