Renewable Energy Consulting
An Industry Leader : Creating Firsts with Récolte Energy
Our accomplishments with our clients and partners set a precedent for innovative energy systems.
Napa Sanitation District's installation of the world's first linear generator to run on WWTP biogas
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The Mainspring linear generator installed at Napa Sanitation District in March 2024 is the world’s first linear generator to run on biogas produced onsite by a wastewater treatment plant. This installation has already sparked national interest from other wastewater treatment plants.
Far Niente Winery's installation of the world’s first commercial floating PV system
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Far Niente winery installed the world’s first commercial floating PV system in February 2008 and was Bank of America’s first solar lessee. Far Niente’s motivation for installing solar over its pond was to minimize the number of vines it would have to take out of production. Along the way, we learned that solar was good for the pond and vice versa. Clearly others got the message, because by September 2018, according to the World Bank, 1,097 MW of floating PV had been installed globally.
The Gasser Foundation’s PV system financed with the first PPA developed for a small non-profit
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The Gasser Foundation’s PV system was financed with the first power purchase agreement (PPA) to be developed for a small non-profit in October 2008. There are others offering non-profit solar PPAs today.
The first large scale fuel cell installation in the wine industry for Sutter Home
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Sutter Home winery’s fuel cell project built by Bloom Energy in September 2011 was the first large scale fuel cell installation in the wine industry. Sutter Home was also Bloom Energy’s first PPA customer.
OWNER & ADVOCATE
Meet Gopal Shanker
Récolte Energy is a Napa Valley based renewable energy consulting firm, founded in 2004 by Gopal Shanker.
With Récolte Energy, Gopal develops turn-key renewable energy projects, using solar photovoltaic, fuel cell, and energy storage systems, for private and public sector clients.
In addition to developing these projects for businesses with Récolte Energy, Gopal also focuses on community advocacy and environmental progress in Napa County. In 2019, Gopal brought Regeneration Napa County to life, encouraging community members to take actions that will save them energy, money and lower their carbon footprint. Napa County’s municipalities took over the platform in 2022 after rebranding it Napa County Climate Challenge.
ADVOCACY
Récolte Energy is on its second decade dedicated to community advocacy.
Changed a California Law, Got a CPUC Decision Approved, & a PG&E Tariff Passed (NEMA)
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Between January 2007 and February 2014, Récolte Energy worked on getting a California law changed, a CPUC decision approved, and a PG&E tariff (NEMA – Net Energy Meter Aggregation) passed. As a result, a customer with multiple meters on adjacent or contiguous properties can offset the combined loads of his meters with a single renewable energy system. According to the CPUC and the California Distributed Generation Statistics site, at the end of 2016 roughly 5% of all net metered projects in California were NEMA projects, or 233 MW out of a total of 4664 MW.
Proposed new strategic & tactical goals for Napa County to become an eco-restoration destination & net exporter of clean energy
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In January 2007, Récolte Energy proposed new strategic and tactical goals for Napa County. The strategic goal was to become an eco-restoration destination and the tactical goal was to become a net exporter of clean energy. Récolte Energy has moved Napa County towards the >100% renewable goal by removing the obstacles as described above and helping to bring in MCE as an alternative to PG&E. As a result, we are 60% renewable today (we would have been 33% had we remained with PG&E), are on track to get to be 100% renewable in a few years, and have the option of opting up to be 100% renewable now for an additional cost of 1 cent for every kWh consumed.
Currently working on on promoting residential solar permitting automation, residential energy efficiency and electrification, and Miyawaki Forests
READ OUR BLOG ON HOW OUR SOCIETY CAN REBUILD IN A NEW AND INNOVATIVE WAY
Tempered Abundance
Hello, my fellow shelter-in-placers. I hope you are doing well. These are challenging times. So if you are mid-struggle, please set aside this paper...
ENERGY
Helping Companies Reduce Their Electricity Bills
Many companies have gone solar to reduce their electricity bills and do their bit for the environment.
Some have worked directly with a reputable installer and have successfully made the transition. Others – like our clients – have hired us to help them develop their renewable energy projects.
Companies choose to hire energy consultants because:
They want to know if they are a candidate for solar or some other renewable energy technology
Their project is complex and requires expert guidance
They don’t know what questions to ask installers or how to select one
They don’t know where the renewable energy system will be sited or how best to pay for it
They don’t know how to make sense of the tangle of ever-changing renewable energy-related federal tax laws and incentives; state laws; utility regulations, incentives, and tariffs; and local jurisdictional requirements
If you want to make the transition to clean energy with help from a firm that has successfully developed and shepherded many complex projects for its clients, please get in touch.
Set Up a Consultation
About Récolte Energy:
Pioneering Scalable and Transformative Renewable Energy Solutions
Récolte Energy’s projects do more than just reduce electricity bills. We help our clients understand how they can use their renewable energy projects to shape their organizations’ strategies, remove significant technical, regulatory, and financial obstacles for others, stack benefits on top of benefits for society, and influence regional and global trends.
CLIENTS
Energy Projects
Commercial Projects
- Wineries
- Schools
- Local Governments
- Non-Profits
- and more.
Clients Served Throughout
- Napa Valley
- Sonoma
- Bay Area
- Carmel
- and more.
TESTIMONIALS
Gopal has been instrumental in making our solar microgrid system finally become a reality. Gopal is second to none when it comes to knowledge of the industry and he offers his full commitment to the project. His knowledge in navigating the permitting processing and asking the correct questions proved invaluable. He advocates for the best for his client and I cannot see this project having gone through to the finish without his expertise.
Napa Sanitation District partnered with Récolte Energy to develop renewal energy projects including a photovoltaic system and a biogas-based linear generator. Gopal possesses an understanding of the energy sector, including renewable energy technologies and energy efficiency strategies. His ability to analyze complex energy systems, identify opportunities for partnerships, and develop innovative solutions is truly impressive. Whether it’s developing energy efficiency measures or advising on renewable energy projects, Gopal consistently delivered results that drove tangible benefits for Napa Sanitation District.
You have been the most dedicated Business Industry Partner I have had supporting my Alternative Energy Class pathway for 10 years now . You helped to start this class. I don't think it ever would have started if it wasn't for your inspiring speeches! I would like to give you an award from Napa County Office of Education for supporting my CTE pathway. I would love to honor your dedication and the incredible amount of time that you have volunteered to support our Napa County students!
Gopal Shanker was an invaluable resource in the development of our renewable energy systems and continues to be so in the management of them. In 2006, Far Niente Winery embarked on an ambitious project to develop and install the world’s first floating grid-connected solar photovoltaic system atop an irrigation pond. The complications of this remarkable and pioneering project were manifest, spanning technical, regulatory, utility company, and local government domains. Gopal diligently provided advice and solutions through the application, design and building processes and contributed significantly to the successful completion of the project... Read More
When it comes to sustainability in Napa County, and even beyond at the state policy level, Gopal Shanker is a steadfast visionary and implementer.
Over ten years ago he coined the expression “Eco Restoration Destination” for Napa County and has been hard at work turning vision to reality ever since. We are blessed to have him and his exceptional family in our community.
Need energy consulting?
Contact Récolte Energy today to discuss your project.
gopal@recolteenergy.com
Location
Napa Valley, CA