SOL-ARK® + ACTIVE ENERGIES: COMMERCIAL ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEM FOR ASPEN DISTILLERY

CREATING ENERGY INDEPENDENCE
& ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY FOR ASPEN VOKDA

Sol-Ark and Active Energies Commercial Case Study: Aspen Vodka Distillery

Aspen Distillery, the makers of Aspen Vodka, located in the heart of Colorado’s Rocky Mountains, sought to reduce its carbon footprint and enhance energy independence through solar energy and commercial battery storage solutions.

Active Energies, a trusted installer based in Vail, Colorado, led the project, with the primary objective of providing backup power and integrating renewable energy.

With increasing sustainability goals and the need to protect valuable products from potential power outages, Aspen Distillery collaborated with Active Energies and Sol-Ark® to install a comprehensive solar and battery energy system.

ASPEN DISTILLERY'S CHALLENGE TO CREATE ENERGY INDEPENDENCE

COMMUNITY & PERMIT RESTRICTIONS: The neighborhood rejected the original plan for a ground-mounted solar array, forcing a redesign that conformed with local design review requests.

UTILITY LIMITATIONS: The project required maximizing on-site energy production and storage within a limited footprint while navigating utility restrictions on net metering.

PRODUCT PRESERVATION: The distillery needed reliable backup power to prevent spoilage of its products in the event of a power outage.

WHY SOL-ARK® WAS THE RIGHT CHOICE

FLEXIBLE DESIGN: The Sol-Ark® commercial energy storage system supported both on-grid and off-grid operations, allowing Aspen Distillery to maintain power during grid outages.

ENERGY-EFFICIENT MANAGEMENT: The built-in DC-DC converter, featuring four independent MPPT channels, maximizes energy conversion efficiency, achieving a 96.5% efficiency rating without the need for extra conversion devices.

And, its native 480VAC output, NEMA3R outdoor rating, and wall-mounted design with an integrated AC and DC cable landing box allowed for quick and flexible installation in outdoor structures.

SEAMLESS BACK-UP POWER: In the event of grid failure, Sol-Ark’s commercial energy storage system ensures that essential operations, including heat regulation and pump functions, remain online, preventing spoilage of the distillery’s products.

THE SOLUTION

ASPEN DISTILLERY ENERGY SYSTEM CONFIGURATION:

SOLAR ARRAY: 25kW of rooftop solar (PV)

HYBRID INVERTER STACK:  Sol-Ark® 60K-3P-480V Commercial Hybrid Inverters

BATTERY ENERGY STORAGE: 120kW of lithium battery storage to provide continuous back-up power for 12 – 14 hours.

FLEXIBLE ENERGY MANAGEMENT: Sol-Ark’s energy management system (MySol-Ark) allowed Aspen Distillery to balance energy needs with their day-to-day operations.

outdoor installation & fire safety

The Sol-Ark® L3 Series LimitLess™ HVR commercial batteries provided:

  • 480VAC output
  • A NEMA-3R outdoor rating
  • Wall-mounted design with an integrated AC and DC cable landing box
  •  Built-in aerosol fire suppression system in both module and cabinet.

THE RESULTS

Aspen Distillery Sol-Ark Commercial Case Study Results

BACK-UP POWER FOR PRODUCT PROTECTION: The battery system provides up to 14 hours of backup power, ensuring continuous operation and protecting valuable products during grid outages.

REDUCED ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT: Aspen distillery achieved a renewable energy offset of nearly 100%, significantly reducing its carbon footprint by producing most of its energy on-site.

ENERGY COST SAVINGS: By utilizing the rooftop space for solar production and energy storage, the distillery minimized its reliance on grid power, saving on energy costs and avoiding the delays associated with permitting a ground-mounted system.