Giumarra Vineyards is part of a partnership bringing a 516 kilowatt dc photovoltaic system to its facility in Bakersfield, California, which will use more than 2,000 solar panels to power the vineyard's main production and cold storage facility.

"Giumarra Vineyards has always been a proponent of sustainable and innovative practices for viticulture and other fresh produce," said Sal Giumarra, president of Giumarra Vineyards. "This installation is a significant milestone in our sustainability program and effort to reduce electricity consumption throughout our growing and packing operations."

With the recent solar installations, Giumarra is taking advantage of green energy to help lower its energy bill, as part of the company's initiative to reduce carbon emissions and take advantage of clean energy sources.

This solar energy project is just one of many in the state of California. According to a recent report from Industrial Info Resources, California and Texas are leading the way in renewable energy installation in the first months of 2012.

The report found that nationally, there are 137 renewable energy projects expected to begin construction in the first six months of 2012, using nearly $20 billion worth of investments.