Fresh off the canning line, Rock Art Brewery's first solar-powered beer, Sun Rocked IPA, provided the perfect toast for a historic moment for both Rock Art Brewery and Vermont brewing history. On June 27th, Rock Art Brewery became the first Vermont brewery to fully offset its electricity needs with solar. SunCommon, of Waterbury, helped the 20-year-old, family-owned brewery realize a longstanding goal to go solar by installing a 200-panel, 67 kW array on the brewery's rooftop in Morrisville.

"Beer brewing and packaging uses a lot of energy. We're always looking for ways to reduce our environmental impact and solar was a perfect fit. We can run our machinery on sunshine - why not? To celebrate going solar we're brewing up a delicious Sun Rocked IPA with nice tropical fruit, berries and citrus flavors - everything that summer sunshine represents," said Matt Nadeau, co-owner of Rock Art Brewery.

"At SunCommon, our commercial program focuses on helping Vermont businesses reduce their energy costs, so they can spend on what matters - like serving amazing, local beer," said Mike McCarthy, Solar Project Consultant for SunCommon.

"There's an energy source hitting our roof everyday and all we needed to do was work with SunCommon to put some equipment up there to capture it - that's it, it was easy. We're now investing in our own solar system instead of an electric bill. It's a win-win," said Nadeau of Rock Art Brewery.

SunCommon, Vermont's largest residential solar company, launched its commercial solar program last year to extend its popular no upfront cost solar offering to local businesses looking to save money, control their energy spending, and power with clean energy.

"There are three things that make a commercial solar project work," said McCarthy of SunCommon. "Do you have a place for solar? Do you have a power bill? Can you use the tax incentives? If you're paying taxes and paying a power bill, solar is a great fit. The roof of your business is a valuable, untapped asset. Why not put that roof to work for you with solar?"

Businesses can fuel the local economy by investing in their own energy, keeping dollars close to home.

"The Lamoille Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to supporting collaborative efforts made by our member businesses. We are especially pleased to support this collaboration between SunCommon and Rock Art Brewery as it is a shining example of how a local business with large energy demands can partner with a clean and renewable energy provider for the benefit of both businesses, our environment, our community, and our local economy," said Deborah Carroll, Executive Dir. of the Lamoille Region Chamber of Commerce.

Vermont is a solar leader ranking in the top spots nationally for both solar installation and jobs. Approximately 1 in 25 Vermont homes is solar-powered and Vermont is home to the most solar jobs per capita according to the 2017 Clean Energy Industry Report.

"More and more of our customers are environmentally conscious and it's good for them to see our solar array as an example of clean energy at work," said Nadeau of Rock Art Brewery. "The visibility of our solar array will spark conversations in the community, the brewery and beyond. We're doing our part to be renewable and sustainable and our customers value that. I'm looking forward to sharing our solar story."

Rock Art Brewery's commitment to fully offsetting their electricity needs with solar is historic and pushes the Vermont beer industry toward a clean energy future.

"The Vermont Brewers Association is extremely proud of the effort Rock Art has made to go 100% solar to fully offset their brewery's electrical needs. Not only is Rock Art the first in the state to do this, but they are a leader in the country as well. Vermont breweries have been pushing the beer industry to innovate, and Rock Art's decision to run on the sun is leading the pack," said Melissa Corbin, Exec. Director of the Vermont Brewers Association. "Cheers to Rock Art's new solar-powered offering, Sun Rocked IPA, which they'll be pouring at the Vermont Brewers Festival on the Burlington Waterfront July 21st and 22nd!"

SunCommon | www.suncommon.com

Vermont Biz | www.vermontbiz.com