Carolina Heritage Vineyards in Elkin has been awarded a cost-share grant for an innovative on-farm energy project through the WNC Energy Cost-share Assistance Program (energyCAP). The award is funded exclusively by NC Tobacco Trust Fund Commission. WNC energyCAP is a nonprofit project designed to help WNC farms and rural small businesses get grant funding for renewable energy systems and energy efficiency upgrades to their operation through a variety of different sources. The project is administered in part by Blue Ridge Resource Conservation & Development Council, in partnership with three other RC&D Councils that cover the western counties of NC.

The project will provide space heating and hot water for all areas of the winery’s operation using an innovative combination of two kinds of renewable energy. A wood gasification boiler and a rooftop solar hot water collection system will work together to meet 100% of the demand. The system is designed to rely more on wood in the winter, and more on solar in the summer. The system will help Carolina Heritage avoid nearly $2,000 in annual energy costs.

This program still has funding available, and the next deadline is October 31st, 2017. If you would like to learn more about this energy grant and others, please contact Alex Arnold, the project coordinator, at alex@energycap.org or (828) 649-5115, or visit www.energycap.org.