Wine & Spirits

Dolce Far Niente - Far Nieinte Launches the First Floating Solar Farm

“It’s sweet doing nothing” as the phrase goes. It’s a phrase that Far Niente uses to describe their winery as it embodies a way of enjoying life’s passions, without a care. Although the phrase is used to describe the laid back atmosphere and enjoying what you have, but in a sense, Far Niente really does care about the visitors and about the environment. That is why Far Niente has become the first vineyard to become a floating solar farm.

This floatovoltaic solar array is made up of 1000 solar panels which are further connected to the pontoons that float in the irrigation pond. Next to the pond, there are 1,300 more panels that when you add up together, you can get 400 kW of energy at peak time offsetting the winery’s annual energy usage providing a net-zero energy bill.

This floatovoltaic solar array is located just behind Far Niente in the Martin Stelling Vineyard. Only one acre was lost to hold the system as most of the array is situated to float on the pond.

The use of these solar panels is not Far Niente’s only attempt to produce luxury wines by sustainable means as they also use organic farming, recycling and hybrid vehicles. Partner Larry Maguire adds, “We will always be committed first and foremost to producing great wines; it’s what we’ve been doing for over 25 years. Yet, we recognize that our environment is facing significant challenges, and as an agriculture-based business we have an obligation to do our part and take sustainable measures where possible.”

Tagged with: Far Niente, solar power, wine, winery