Blasty Bough Brewing installs solar array, expects $23K in yearly savings

With help from the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Rural Energy for America Program (REAP), a federal initiative that helps rural small businesses and farms invest in renewable energy, more small operations across New England are discovering the benefits of going solar. Blasty Bough Brewing Company, a farm-to-kettle brewery in Epsom, New Hampshire, is one of them.

Founded in the mid-2000s as a working farm, Blasty Bough blends its agricultural roots with forward-thinking energy solutions. The brewery pairs craft beer and live music with its self-described secret weapon: sheep grazing beneath rows of solar panels.

Sunshine as income

Blasty Bough’s solar array, installed by ReVision Energy, produces 800 to 1,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) more than the brewery needs each month, turning sunshine into a small but steady income stream. As the brewery continues to grow, it expects to eventually use all the power it generates — making solar not just a sustainable choice, but a strategic investment in its future.

The solar-powered setup underscores the brewery’s commitment to sustainability, serving as a model for clean energy integration in craft brewing.

Brewing with clean energy

Revision Energy first connected with Blasty Bough owner Dave Stewart in 2018, when he began exploring solar as a way to align the brewery’s agricultural roots with a more sustainable future. For Stewart, clean energy wasn’t just a practical choice—it was, in his words, “the right thing to do.” It also offered a way to lower energy expenses and support the local economy.

The solar project truly took shape in 2022, as most good ideas do, over a couple of beers. The connection was sparked at the brewery itself, where early conversations between Stewart and ReVision Energy laid the groundwork for a collaboration. Over the wooden bar, we began planning a project that paired our local renewable energy expertise with Stewart’s vision for the future of the brewery.

“Beer is no longer the only driver — people come for the full experience, and sustainability is a big part of that,” says Stewart.

We worked with Stewart to plan a system tailored to the brewery’s energy usage and future expansion. The final system was installed between October 16 and November 27, 2023. It consists of 182 QCELLS Q.PEAK DUO XL-G10.3 BFG 480W solar modules, paired with nine SMA SB 7.7-ITP-US-41 inverters and mounted on APA Ready Rack fixed-tilt ground mount racking.

The 87.3 kW direct current (DC) system produces more than 9,000 kWh of clean energy each month. It currently exceeds demand, feeding excess energy back into the grid and generating valuable credits.

Raising a Glass to REAP 

Blasty Bough applied for a REAP grant during the March 2023 cycle. With our help, Stewart submitted the application just in time. Though the USDA had not yet awarded the grant, they confirmed the submission was complete, clearing the way for the project to proceed at the owner’s risk.

REAP empowers rural businesses to move forward with confidence, even before grant funds are disbursed. Once Stewart’s application was confirmed as complete, he made the proactive choice to begin construction. With Epsom’s frozen winter soil approaching, the timing proved critical. Thanks to swift coordination between our teams, the project broke ground in time, avoiding costly seasonal delays and maximizing the impact of the REAP grant.

Ultimately, the grant reimbursed roughly one third of the total project cost, making the solar installation not only possible, but financially viable at a critical time. Although REAP funding was temporarily frozen in January 2025, it was eventually reinstated — a reminder of how important it is to protect American energy incentives from shifting political winds. As funding for clean energy programs faces renewed challenges, the stakes for rural farmers and small businesses remain high. 

“The USDA’s REAP program has been a game-changer for family farms and small businesses across New England — helping them lower energy costs, strengthen local economies, and reduce their carbon footprint,” says Dan Weeks, vice president of business development at ReVision Energy. “Uncertainty around future funding puts these real, community-level benefits at risk. We hope policymakers recognize how vital this program is for rural prosperity and energy independence.” 

Sheep grazing a crucial element

Blasty Bough Brewing incorporates solar grazing as a practical, sustainable solution for vegetation management. Sheep from a nearby farm graze the fields beneath the solar array, reducing maintenance needs while benefiting from shade. This eliminates the need for fossil fuel-powered mowers and aligns with the brewery’s agricultural values.

“We have always kept sheep — they do their job and require almost nothing in return,” Stewart notes.

This approach not only supports local farmers and operational efficiency, but it also contributes to the site’s visual appeal and sustainability goals.

Brewing Up Future Sustainability

The brewery has plans to eventually open a bed and breakfast, transforming the property into a full countryside retreat. Stewart sees the solar installation as a way to prepare operations for future growth while offering a sustainable getaway for guests.

Blasty Bough now produces more energy than it uses, turning clean power into a dual source of savings and revenue. Looking ahead, the brewery plans to expand operations, eliminate reliance on oil heating, and operate entirely on solar power, including electric vehicle charging, further advancing its long-term sustainability goals.

Rachel Eades is a commercial sales consultant at ReVision Energy, a Northeast-based solar company.