With three vineyards under cultivation, winemakers Perinet can produce both single grape variety, and blended-grape wines of endless depth and character.
The diverse location of their vineyards amongst steep the hills of the Priorat – from the high altitude Mas Vell plantation, to the precipitous slopes of the Pendent plantation – produce low yield grapes from slate and quartz soils. Even the climate differs on each three vineyard alternating from moist maritime breezes fresh off the mediterranean to hot arid continental winds blowing from Aragon’s desert land.
Silence
Perinet Winery decided that it was time to retire their diesel generator and allow silence to fall over the vineyard, stylish visitor centre, fermentation rooms and cellars so that wine tourists can enjoy the stunning scenery in silence whilst almost 200 solar panels quietly generate green power, and the winery reduces its carbon footprint to zero.
Vaulted Roof
Solar installers Ruano Energía – experts in domestic and industrial solar energy systems – faced their first challenge when installing the solar panels: The winery has a vaulted profile roof – whereas panel mounting systems are designed for flat roofs. Some innovation was required in producing a tailor made cradle.
MAGNUM System
Two more challenges had to be met: the system needed to be designed to provide 100% of Perinet’s energy demand; and the installation of this major system must cause a minimum of disruption.
Ruano Energía decided to supply their MAGNUM system – built off site in their own factory all major components are pre-wired and fused allowing the whole installation to be transported to site and rolled into position with the minimum of disruption to the client.
Only the Solar wiring and consumer distribution connections need to be completed on site before the system can be made operational.
The system Ruano Energía designed comprises:
- 190 JA SOLAR panels rated at 450Wp, totalling 85kWp
- 40 PYLONTECH US3000 batteries with 3.5kWh nominal capacity, totalling 140kWh
- 3 FRONIUS ECO 25.0-3-S de 25kW three-phase grid inverters
- 9 Quattro 48/10000VA configured for three-phase operation
- Cerbo GX
- GX Touch 50
Lots of power in a small space
The Fronius Inverters supply daytime demand direct from the solar array; excess power is used to charge the batteries. The Quattro inverters, configured for three-phase, provide night time AC direct from the battery bank.
Cerbo GX provides cross-manufacturer, whole system control
The Cerbo GX provides whole system control – harmonising Victron and other-manufacture components as they harvest, store and provide energy, and ensuring that the batteries are optimally charged. The GX Touch 50 provides user-interface for system monitoring and control via a neat touch-sensitive five-inch screen.
Ruano Energía specialise in the use of natural resources – especially solar energy. Where necessary their highly qualified engineering and assembly team manufacture bespoke solutions to facilitate systems installation. Offering advice before, during and after commissioning they provide long term monitoring for efficiency control, production and load point control equipment.
Remote system monitoring and control using the Victron Remote Management (VRM) portal allows real time observation and record analysis. Each component of the system can be scrutinised individually, and historical event-data can be ‘time-slot’ selected to allow deeper examination …from anywhere in the world. Virtual control offers full system access for engineers.
They key aim for this energy system in the stylish and remote Priorat region was to achieve an installation which would be maintenance free, and eliminate ongoing-costs for the customer.
Perinet are very satisfied with the MAGNUM system which allows a lot of technology to be packed into the smallest possible space. And as a maker of superior wine, this commitment to green energy, and their investment in a carbon free future from renewables lies at the heart of their pact with nature.
Lets take a tour of the Perinet vineyard with Antoni Sànchez-Ortiz:
