On top of the Farmhouse and the Rizzi cellar have been installed 117 solar panel modules covering 149,76 square meters. More than 90% of the electrical energy requirement of the winery is provided by 19,80 kW photovoltaic panels installed on a roof (structure inclined 35 degrees, south facing).
The energy produced by the solar panels enters the electrical network at a low voltage via an inverter, and is therefore available for all the winery's electricity needs. Any excess electrical energy is sold and entered into the capital system, passing a counter into the city's electrical grid and vice versa. The winery can also collect electricity from the grid when large quantities are needed in shorter periods of time. In this way the winery is guaranteed an all time ecological energy source.
Dellapiana Ernesto says: "Protection of the environment and exploitation of the territory are essential guidelines in the Rizzi’s operations. The quality of the environment is regarded as a factor of production that is the equal of many others: soil, climate, variety and choice of the type of cultivation. For that reason, RIZZI was among the first wine estates in Italy to adopt solar power for the production of electrical energy, since the sun’s rays are a clean and renewable source of power".
Dellapiana said that the solar power system has exceeded his expectations. "The amount of power being generated has been incredible, even with the fog and in the winter", he continued. "At the moment the performance has been better than expected. They are very happy with what is being produced."
At the moment of inauguration (November 2006) Rizzi was one of the largest solar winery of Italy and the biggest of Piedmont.
