Solar-array hooray

Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.’s latest solar-energy project earned the Chico beermaker more than props during a recent Earth Month celebration.

Pacific Gas and Electric awarded the brewery a $2 million solar rebate for the giant 1.5-megawatt photovoltaic array covering the parking area adjacent to the business.

Through its clean-energy initiatives, Sierra Nevada’s on-site renewable power generation is 3.1 megawatts. The amount generated accounts for about 80 percent of the facility’s total energy use.

PG&E presented the rebate at the hops field during Chico Fest, a day-long collaborative event bringing local environmental groups from the community, especially Chico State, together with the public.