'A real part of our brewery now runs on the sun': Minnesota brewery adds nearly 180 solar panels to its rooftop

A Minnesota brewery says it is tackling one of its highest operating costs in a cleaner way. 

Omni Brewing Company revealed its new facility in Rosemount now runs in large part on a 176-panel rooftop solar array, and touted the move to cleaner energy generation.

Here's what to know

In a press release, the company announced it worked with All Energy Solar on a 74.8-kilowatt rooftop system for its new brewery in Rosemount, with solar included in the project plans from the outset.

Justin Walsh, owner of Omni Brewing, said the decision was about more than appearances.

"Going solar has been one of the more satisfying investments we've made at Omni Brewing," Walsh said in the release. "From the start, the goal was to run a cleaner, more sustainable operation, and this installation moved us meaningfully in that direction — a real part of our brewery now runs on the sun, which is something we're proud of."

Across the 176-panel array, Omni used Enphase microinverters, a choice influenced in part by the roof's east-west layout. The company said that configuration should help keep production steadier through the day than a more conventional single-direction design.

Walsh said the ability to track performance easily, along with the long warranty, were among the features he valued most.

"The monitoring from the Enphase microinverters is a genuine plus, because we can see exactly how each part of the array is doing at a glance rather than guessing," he explained in the release. "We have peace of mind knowing those components carry a 25-year warranty, which is well beyond what we'd expected going in."

More background

For a brewery, energy use is a constant reality. Brewing, refrigeration, lighting, and taproom operations all require reliable electricity, so lower power costs can make a meaningful difference over time.

Omni said the solar array is expected to meet most of its on-site energy needs while reducing utility costs by thousands of dollars each year. If electricity prices continue to rise, those savings could become even more valuable.

Michael Thalhimer, director of business development at All Energy Solar, said the project was designed to work with the building rather than against it.

"The completed system integrates seamlessly into the taproom's sloped roof design, and nearly matches the roof color for a clean aesthetic," Thalhimer declared in the release. "The environmental impact is significant, covering the majority of the on-site usage."

Cleaner electricity can also reduce reliance on power generated by dirty fuels. It can also ease pressure on the grid from high-power users while trimming long-term costs.

What's being done?

All Energy Solar oversaw the work, including analysis, engineering, permits, and construction, according to the release.

The company also said it helped Omni access federal tax incentives, bonus depreciation, and support from the USDA REAP program. The system's overall seamlessness and eventual savings could inspire other businesses to follow suit.

"It's been a solid step forward for our sustainability goals, we'd recommend the setup to any business considering the same move," Watson assessed in the release.

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