Seeing the light: Ska Brewing adds 223 solar panels to its Colorado headquarters

Ska Brewing Co. announced the installation of 223 solar panels courtesy of Shaw Solar at its world headquarters in Durango, Colo. These new solar panels will generate enough energy to brew approximately 545,000 pints each year. The brewery has partnered with Durango’s Shaw Solar to install a grid-tied solar power system on as much of the surface area of its roof as possible — 68 kilowatts from 223 panels to be exact.

These new solar panels join the insulation in the brewery’s walls made out of blue jeans, the bar and tables made from bowling alley lanes and grass and flowers quenched by recycled water at Ska’s world headquarters as part of the company’s long-term sustainability plan. They will provide about a quarter of the brewery’s electricity. The rest is wind-powered.

“This project with Shaw was a long time coming,” said Ska Founder Dave Thibodeau. “We’ve always aligned our company mission with sustainability efforts, especially those that directly impact Durango. Now we can proudly say that our independently owned craft brewery is independent from the grid.”