California wineries have been abuzz with solar installations for a few years now, but it’s not too often we see a brewery pop up on the radar. Fort Collins-based New Belgium Brewing Co.’s 200 kw solar array today went live, making it the largest privately owned, on-site solar installation in Colorado. The 870 solar panels will provide an estimated 13 percent of the brewery and packaging facility’s peak power demand. The energy savings will be significant, but the brewery–which purchases wind power and uses on-site methane for heat and electricity–says it was partly pursuing solar for the greater good:

The array is part of the brewer’s commitment to Fort Collins’ FortZED initiative, a public/private partnership that aims to create the world’s largest “active zero energy district” through Smart Grid and renewable energy technology. [Press Release]

FortZED, according to their website, accounts for 10-15 percent of Fort Collins Utilities’ distribution system; they aim to reduce participants’ 45 MW total peak demand by 20-30 percent. Individual members like New Belgium, Colorado State University, and the Governor’s Energy Office contribute to this effort in different ways. Reducing on-site power consumption is clearly a big part of what needs to be done, but FortZED is a comprehensive plan that includes energy efficiency, utility scale renewable energy, and even green building retrofits in the district.

New Belgium, in case you were wondering, makes the rightly famous Fat Tire amber ale. Since the packaging hall’s solar array can provide power for up to eight hours of bottling, expect (1) lots of jokes about green beer, and (2) other breweries to hop on board. With Colorado’s utility-distributed solar rebates complementing the generous federal tax credit, now is the perfect time for Colorado home and business owners to go solar. Learn more about commercial solar incentives in Colorado here.