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Berks officials, residents and representatives of PennEnvironment and Manatawny Creek Winery toured the facility\u2019s solar array in April 2026. (Courtesy of PennEnvironment)<\/p>\nA winery that pioneered solar energy in Berks County was the subject of a recent showcase tour by environmental advocacy group PennEnvironment.<\/p>\n
Representatives from PennEnvironment and Manatawny Creek Winery, Amity Township, joined Berks County officials and residents last week for the tour of the site\u2019s solar and sustainability initiatives.<\/p>\n
Berks officials, residents and representatives of PennEnvironment and Manatawny Creek Winery toured the facility\u2019s solar array in April 2026. (Courtesy of PennEnvironment)<\/p>\n
\u201cPennEnvironment is excited to highlight Pennsylvania businesses with a long-term commitment to clean energy, like Manatawny Creek Winery,\u201d Belle Sherwood, PennEnvironment clean energy advocate, said in a press release. \u201cThe sun\u2019s power is plentiful in Pennsylvania, and more businesses, schools, and homes should take advantage of clean, fast, and abundant solar energy.\u201d<\/p>\n
Manatawny Creek Winery installed its rooftop array in 2007.<\/p>\n
At the time, the panels offset 25-30% of the vineyard\u2019s annual energy usage, and excess energy produced during the day was sold back to the electricity grid, helping the winery\u2019s bottom line, according to PennEnvironment.<\/p>\n
The owners are now looking to replace their solar panels.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey can see firsthand how far solar technology has come in the past two decades; the same size panels today would be significantly cheaper to install, generate more energy, be more efficient, and save the winery more money on their electricity bills,\u201d PennEnvironment said.<\/p>\n
Manatawny Creek\u2019s owners found a like-minded partner in Mike Dietrich, director of operations at the winery, Dietrich said in a press release.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy wife and I have Oley Valley Organics.\u2026 and we\u2019ve had a produce farm for 18 years now,\u201d Dietrich said in the release. \u201cWhen we found out that the winery had installed solar panels, we said to ourselves, \u2018This is like a match made in heaven.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
Power from the sun is clean, never runs out, and shows up for free, PennEnvironment said.<\/p>\n
\u201cHarnessing more energy from the sun means cleaner air, a more stable climate, and less strain on natural resources,\u201d PennEnvironment said. \u201cPlus, going solar increases energy independence and reliability and allows businesses to save money on their utility bills.\u201d<\/p>\n
Renewable resources like solar and wind deserve more attention, said state Sen. Judy Schwank (D-11th Dist.), who attended the April 15 tour.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have a bill called the Community Energy bill,\u201d Schwank said. \u201cA farmer can partner with a municipality, local developers, neighboring residents, or small business owners to build a community solar facility on their land. They can share in some of the energy products, and share in any profits associated with it too.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"State](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1776775091_173_Judy-Schwank-Manatawny.jpg\")
State Sen. Judy Scchwank was among the Berks officials touring Manatawny Creek Winery\u2019s solar array. (Courtesy of PennEnvironment)<\/p>\n
Pennsylvania is ranked 26th in the nation for solar power.<\/p>\n
PennEnvironment said it advocates for programs like the state\u2019s Community Energy Development<\/a> initiative, which offers technical assistance to communities looking to develop clean energy infrastructure, and other parts of Gov. Josh Shapiro\u2019s \u201cLightning Plan,\u201d<\/a>\u00a0a comprehensive energy plan that aims to position the state as a clean energy leader.<\/p>\n PennEnvironment called Manatawny Creek Winery \u201ca shining example of the many benefits of solar energy.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201c(Manatawny Creek) should serve as an inspiration to other small businesses across Pennsylvania to choose clean energy and do their part to protect the planet,\u201d PennEnvironment said.<\/p>\n