Kyocera Solar has announced that its proven, reliable solar modules have been installed at the Central Waters Brewing Co. in Amherst, WI by Photovoltaic (PV) Systems. 17.8 kW of solar arrays are providing approximately 20 percent of the brewery's total electrical load from the clean, renewable energy of the sun.

The solar electric system is producing 21,472 kilowatt hours of electricity annually, which helps to reduce electricity costs. The 12,500 square foot Central Waters Brewing Co. services more than 200 retail locations in Central Wisconsin and includes 18 unique beer style offerings.

"We're committed to being one of the most environmentally sustainable breweries in the country and we consider the environmental impact of every aspect of our business," said Paul Graham, president of Central Waters.

"Making beer can be very resource intensive so it was very important to offset some of that energy use with solar. Our Kyocera solar solution has performed extremely well since it was installed a couple of years ago. So well, in fact, that we've already expanded it."

The solar array features Kyocera's KD185GX PV module and the SB6000US inverter, allowing flexibility to utilize the solar energy on site or feed it into the electricity grid. Kyocera showcased its latest high quality, reliable solar solutions in the Kyocera/PV Systems Tent at the Annual Energy Fair in Wisconsin last weekend.

Wisconsin is ranked 24th in the country for cumulative installed solar capacity with enough solar in the state to power 2,000 homes and the solar industry employs approximately 1,000 people in the state, according to the Solar Energy Industry Association.

"Kyocera's solar solutions have powered large-scale industrial projects, low-income, multi-family housing units and now an environmentally-friendly brewery," said Steve Hill, president, Kyocera Solar Inc.

"Seeing companies like Central Waters evaluate and reduce the environmental impact of their businesses drives home the value of efficient, reliable solar solutions that can ultimately help their bottom lines as well."