Boochcraft wanted a better way, for both the environment and their business, to brew their popular hard kombucha at the Boochcraft brewery in Chula Vista. Boochcraft was looking for a system that could lower the company’s impact, as well as energy costs, at the facility that includes industrial brewing and refrigerating equipment. Adding to the facility’s overall energy use costs are the unpredictable demands of cooling equipment that ‘clicks on’ based on the temperature needs.
The team at HES Renewables, which also designed and installed the solar-only system at the Boochcraft headquarters, was enlisted to create a solar + energy storage system at the kombucha brewing facility in Chula Vista. The unique collection of buildings at the property dictated three distinctly different solar installation styles for the Silfab Solar panels.
A dual-tilt, ballasted rooftop system was designed and installed over the main brewery building. A system mounted with standoffs was mounted on both sides of the pitched, metal roof of the adjacent building. In addition to these arrays, a carport was constructed and fitted with panels to create a carport solar array. All three arrays of the 251 kW system use Solectria inverters and power the property through a BYD Chess energy storage system. The BYD battery targets reducing demand charges of the facility to lower monthly electric bill rates.
The clean, green energy produced by a solar system is a perfect fit with the philosophy of the California-based brand. Running on renewable energy helps Boochcraft fulfill its mission to do things right well beyond just the financial aspects of business.
The industrial-sized solar and energy storage system is anticipated to produce 368,818 kWh annually and save the Boochcraft brewery $6,369,100 in electric bill costs over the first 25 years of use. The short payback period of only 2.8 years means the system will quickly pay for itself.
The addition of energy storage allows the facility to further lower its grid energy use peaks. By discharging battery power during its highest demand times, the brewery can dramatically lower its monthly peak demand charge rate.
“As a certified B Corp, sustainability isn’t just a box we check—it’s core to how we operate. Transitioning our brewery to solar power was a critical step in reducing our dependence on conventional energy and moving toward a cleaner, more responsible way of doing business. The process was complex and spanned several months, but the impact is long-lasting. We’re proud to now be brewing with the power of the sun. The team at HES made it possible with their deep expertise, collaborative spirit, and ability to navigate a challenging install with professionalism and care. This project marks a major milestone in our journey toward a more sustainable future, and we’re grateful to have had such a capable partner by our side.”
Todd Kent, Founder & CEO, Boochcraft
We are a San Diego-based solar energy production and energy storage installation company. We have been an energy innovator since 2001 and can handle projects from solar-only arrays to micro-grid solar and storage systems with on-site EV charging stations.
If you’re looking into the benefits of on-site energy production, energy storage, or EV Charging capability, we’d love to speak with you. We’ll show you how to lower and stabilize energy costs, receive the maximum incentives, open new revenue streams, and gain control over one of the largest expenses of your business or commercial property.
Click here to be contacted by an HES Renewables representative, or simply dial us at 866-HES-RNEW (866-437-7639).