08.15.08>
Tanner Creek Energy announced today the completion of a 94.5 kilowatt (kW) solar energy system at Domaine Drouhin Oregon, the famed winery in Oregon's Dundee Hills (Willamette Valley). The 94.5kW ground-mounted system is currently the Oregon wine industry's largest solar panel system. Tanner Creek Energy, the most experienced supplier of solar energy systems to the Oregon wine industry, designed and installed the system, which consists of over 500 state-of-the-art Photovoltaic (PV) panels. Despite its size, the Southwest-facing system integrates well into the estate's vineyard landscape. Phillippe Drouhin, a fourth generation member of the esteemed Drouhin Family of Burgundy, was the driving force behind the winery's commitment to the project. Responsible for the family's estate viticulture in Burgundy and Oregon, Philippe embraces environmentally-friendly business practice on both sides of the Atlantic. According to David Millman, Domaine Drouhin Oregon's Managing Director, "We chose Tanner Creek because of their excellent previous work and their effort to have this make sense for a winery, both financially and in terms of our relationship to the land and environment. We also appreciated their help in handling the various administrative hurdles along the way. Perhaps most important was their determination to keep the project elements local to Oregon and their demonstrated commitment to the Oregon wine industry." Tanner Creek Energy has successfully completed nearly 500kW of solar energy systems in Oregon and the company is one of the largest developers of solar energy systems in the state. Alan Hickenbottom, founder of Tanner Creek, said, "The Drouhin Family has inspired many people through their wine, and we think their commitment to renewable energy will be viewed as equally inspirational. We couldn't ask for better partners in a project."