The Situation
With brewing being more of a science than a guessing game, the moniker "Mad Mole" is both a nod to "mad scientists" of legend and an aggregatation of the owners' names. While every scientific reaction needs a catalyst-something to spur the process into action--this microbrewery's form of power was incurring high reoccurring electricity bills.
Cape Fear Solar Systems was asked to install a photovoltaic system on Mad Mole Brewing Company to:
☀ Mitigate high energy costs
☀ Set the Wilmington microbrewery apart from others in the area
The Strategy
After an on-site assessment by our team took all of the below factors into consideration, Cape Fear Solar Systems worked with the owners to design and install 63 SunPower panels and 2 SolarEdge inverters, totalling 22.1 kilowatts--offsetting 33% of the building's energy usage. This system powers the seven-barrel electric brew system and is engineered to withstand wind loads of a Category 4 hurricane. It was also designed to leave roof space available for scalability, should the microbrewery expand its operations.
The Benefits & Savings
Mad Mole Brewing Company will see a quick return on their investment through a six-year payback period. Their 33% monthly offset will save them $2,740 annually, with a projected $107,830 in savings over the next 30 years. The system features a 25-year warranty but is expected to have a 40-year lifespan.
Cape Fear Solar Systems will continue to provide monitoring services to ensure production and savings maintain or exceed the forecasted metrics.
In 2019, Mad Mole Brewing was crowned the nation's favorite solar microbrewery. With solar panels visible from their taproom and great-tasting beer brewed by the sun, Mad Mole has quickly gained traction in the Wilmington brewery market through becoming the desired choice of many locals. Through their forward-thinking solar installation, Mad Mole has paved the way for other breweries and commercial business owners to follow in the pursuit of clean energy.
Solar not only reduces your monthly expenses, but contributes to both your social responsibility and relevance, providing an invaluable marketing asset to set you apart from your competitors.
