Split Rock Distilling is harnessing Maine's abundant solar resource to power their gorgeous Newcastle tasting room and craft distillery.
Co-founders Matt Page and Topher Mallory named their passion project based on a fond aspect of their lifelong friendship - Split Rock is named for the shortcut between their nearby homes, and they decided it would be the only shortcut taken in their endeavor. Housed in an updated barn outfitted with heat pumps and LEDs, their distillery and tasting room are aesthetically beautiful and a great place to enjoy their diverse selection of spirits. Matt and Topher are very satisfied with the year-round comfort they feel in both the upstairs office space and on the production floor. "Our two heat pumps are ridiculously efficient," Matt remarked. "They heat and cool this entire building without burning a drop of fuel."
Topher, who is also the CEO of Maine-based Mexicali Blues, had seen firsthand the success of adding solar power to a business, and so he and Matt quickly moved forward with their own solar project. Aided by a REAP grant, they now have a rooftop solar array that is outperforming expectations, and plans to expand. As it is, their solar array will save them more than $50,000 over the life of the system.
The thirty-six solar panels on the roof of the Split Rock Distilling in Newcastle, Maine power the company's commitment to doing things the right way for their community and business. This array produces over 11,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity each year, and offsets 9,987 lbs of carbon pollution. Split Rock further cuts back on carbon pollution with an electric vehicle charger on-site!
