DeKalb Brewery Goes Solar With New Installation

DEKALB COUNTY, GA — The Lost Druid has become the first brewery in DeKalb County to be powered with solar energy, its owner announced Tuesday. The Avondale Estates business will save money and reduce carbon footprint.

The “own-premise” brewery is powered with solar energy provided by Atlanta-based Velo Solar, who created the 14.1 kW solar installation.

The array will save the brewery as much as 15 percent on its annual power bill, said Stacia Familo-Hopek, owner and co-founder. In addition to cost savings, it will reduce the operation’s carbon footprint by 42 metric tons of CO2 each year.

Created through a special financing arrangement offered by Velo Solar, the solar equipment is
provided through a Solar Energy Procurement Agreement (SEPA). This allowed the panels and
other infrastructure to be installed at no upfront cost to The Lost Druid.

The Lost Druid’s solar array will produce 21,514 kilowatt hours of power annually. This helps
to run the brewery’s 6,800 square-foot operation, including its brewery, taproom, aging facility,
kitchen, and upstairs event space.

Familo-Hopek said the decision to “go solar” is in keeping with the brewery’s core mission.

“The Druids respected nature, and this is one of numerous measures we employ to minimize
our impact on the environment,” she said in a news release. “Other environmentally sensitive initiatives we use include reclamation of our chilling water, a natural carbonation process, LED lighting and providing spent grain to local farmers for livestock feed.”

She said The Lost Druid selected Velo Solar to provide the solar installation because of Velo’s
demonstrated expertise and customer-centric approach.

Britt Lothridge, director of sales for Velo Solar, said Georgia business owners have more
options than ever to add solar to their energy resources. SEPAs make it easy to save money and contribute to a healthier environment, he said.

“This is a great option for forward-thinking clients who want to reduce their reliance on
utility-provided power without a hefty upfront investment,” he said. “They not only pay less for
electricity month-to-month, they also reduce reliance on fossil fuels.”