"I am very impressed and satisfied with GreenSky Energetics' attention to detail and their ability to communicate with the other contractors on the jobsite in a commercial setting. Their commercial/industrial experience lent itself very well to keeping this project on schedule and in budget."
M. Troge - Oneida, WI |
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Red Eye Brewery and Pub
» Location: Wausau, Wisconsin
» Classification: Commercial
» Technology: Water
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The solar water heating system on the Red Eye Brewery in Wausau is a terrific example of the positive impact from investing in renewable energy. The owners wanted to incorporate renewable energy into their facility as part of their mission statement: “Red Eye believes that our success as a business is measured through our commitment to the community and the environment, paired with sound economic practices.” With a high consumption level of hot water every day, a solar domestic water heater was the logical choice.
The system designed and installed by GreenSky Energetics uses a fairly unique configuration in that it is a drainback system with solar storage tanks in different areas of the brew pub. The visible portion of the Red Eye system is the (10) Solar Skies flat plate collectors mounted securely on the roof. Each collector is 4’ x 10’ in size and capable of producing 40,000 BTUs on a clear sunny day. That’s a combined capacity of up to 400,000 BTUs per day! The collectors are teamed with a distributed system of solar storage tanks having a combined capacity of 465 gallons. The system utilizes an intelligent control coupled with a diverting valve to direct the solar heat into the desired solar storage tank. The propylene glycol used as a solar transfer fluid in the system fits well with the food industry as it is non-toxic. Two 105-gallon Marathon storage tanks serve the brewery. Every day this solar heated water is fed into the brew kettle for making beer.
 Three 85-gallon Marathon solar storage tanks in the restaurant provide hot water for dishwashing and the restrooms.
What results has the Red Eye Brewery seen?
Brett Danke, a Red Eye partner, spoke about their system at the 2011 Solar Thermal Conference. They observed a significant drop in energy consumption the first month that the system was operating. In addition to the tangible reduction in energy costs, the solar water system is a visible demonstration of the company’s brand image. Red Eye Brewey mentioned their solar system in a radio spot on Wisconsin Public Radio:
“Support for Wisconsin Public Radio comes from Red Eye Brewing Company, harnessing the power of the sun in creating handcrafted beers and artisan food at 612 Washington Street, downtown Wausau. Red Eye Brewing dot com.”
Brett reported that several new guests would travel an hour or better after hearing the announcement on WPR to view the systems and enjoy a meal. To help customers understand the system, Brett posted a sign in the restaurant area explaining how the system works and what the solar heated water is used for.
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