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October 29, 2009
The News-Review
BY ERIN SCHULTZ | STAFF WRITER		    
Go Solar Inc Paumanok Go Solar Inc.

 

Feds support sun-powered vineyard


Paumanok Vineyards in Aquebogue became the first North Fork winery to receive a federal grant to help with the costs of installing solar panels, which workers started to do last Thursday.
The 10,000-kilowatt rooftop solar energy system can power the vineyard's entire refrigeration system -- normally a huge energy draw -- and could save the business roughly 25 percent in energy costs, said Paumanok winemaker Kareem Massoud.

"This makes sense for any farmer," Mr. Massoud. "We like to be self-sufficient. So it's natural for us to want a self-sufficient energy system as well. And there are all kinds of incentives from [the Long Island Power Authority] and from the federal government. We're doing what we can from a renewable energy standpoint."

The system cost the winery $70,000, but a grant from the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) covers 25 percent of the cost, said Laura Venugopalan of Riverhead-based Go Solar, the firm that designed and installed the Paumanok's solar panels.

She said REAP awarded $62.5 million dollars in federal loans and grants this year to rural businesses to install renewable energy and energy efficient systems. And with federal tax credits and LIPA rebates, Ms. Venugopalan said Paumanok's system should pay itself off in four years.

"Installing solar for business is as economically viable as it is environmentally sound," she said. "It's in its infancy, but the North Fork solar industry is a burgeoning field."

Paumanok Vineyrads isn't the first North Fork winery to go solar. David Page and Barbara Shinn installed a 10-kilowatt solar system this spring at Shinn Vineyards in Matttituck. They have also been guaranteed a REAP grant for their planned wind power system, but have not yet been able to get a building permit for the turbine.

Ms. Venugopalan said that in March Paumanok's owner Charles Massoud approached Go Solar, which has been in existence since 1979, about solar options. Ms. Venugopalan then heard about the REAP grant and helped the vintners apply.

"Now it's a real, viable option," she said, adding that she hopes other wineries will pick up on the trend. "This is prime area for solar and wind. They are offering these REAP grants on an annual basis. It's a bit involved, but it's doable."

Mr. Massoud said he hopes to branch out with renewable energy at Paumanok.

"Solar, wind, geothermal," he said. "We're keeping all of our options open."

eschultz@timesreview.com