OLD MISSION PENINSULA, Mich. — U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow flipped a switch to symbolically power on the largest solar agribusiness installation at a winery in Michigan late last month.

The installation is a 148.5-kilowatt-hour (kWh) solar array from Jackson-based Harvest Energy Solutions. The 540 customized black panels with black powder-coated racking were installed at the Chateau Chantal Winery & Inn in Old Mission Peninsula, north of Traverse City. The solar panels are expected to offset approximately 40 percent of the company’s energy needs.

According to an announcement from Harvest Energy Solutions, the array’s annual production of 172,351 kWhs is equivalent to saving carbon dioxide emissions from the electricity used in 18.2 homes for one year. At the event, Stabenow, a Michigan Democrat, praised the project for both its environmental value and connecting several sectors of Michigan’s economy.

"When we go to a renewable energy like wind or solar, it’s not just about using the energy; we can also make the parts," she said. "Every single one of those component parts is a job, so it brings together what we have strength in in Michigan: manufacturing and technology, along with the ability to have clean energy and protect our wonderful planet.

"We don’t have an economy unless we make things and grow things and innovate. And that’s what we do best in Michigan."

President and CEO of the winery, Marie-Chantal Dalese, said it has been harvesting grapes on the farm for 29 years and she’s excited to diversify by benefiting even more from the sun’s energy.

"At Chateau Chantal, we’ve been incredibly lucky to steward this amazing property on Old Mission Peninsula," she said. "Installing a large-scale solar array is one more way we can reflect our commitment to a healthy environment."

The vineyard has been certified under the Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program for the past eight years. Dalese added the farm stopped using chemical fertilizers 10 years ago.

More than 50 invited guests from the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Michigan Economic Development Corp. (MEDC), Michigan Farm Energy Program, Traverse City Chamber of Commerce and elsewhere joined Stabenow to celebrate the completion and "power up" of the new solar installation.

Harvest Energy Solutions spokeswoman Cathie Hartung said the purpose of the May 29 event was to "support renewable energy, support renewable energy in agribusiness and to support Michigan businesses." She explained Harvest Energy Solutions has installed more than 7 megawatts of solar array systems throughout the Midwest since 2010.

The company designed, engineered and installed the Chateau Chantal system. The panels themselves were manufactured by another Michigan company, Hartung said. Harvest Energy Solutions manufactures the racking and clips.

It took less than two weeks to hook up the solar array at the vineyard. Hartung would not say what the company charged for the Chateau Chantal solar array. To help pay for the new system, though, the vineyard was awarded an MEDC Pure Michigan Business Connect grant, which provides matching funds of up to $50,000 to state companies that qualify.

Further financing of the project might come from USDA’s Rural Energy for America Program grant, which could cover up to 25 percent of the project’s cost.