The sun is helping fuel Kentucky’s growing bourbon industry. Maker’s Mark Distillery in Loretto is utilizing 560 solar panels to power its bourbon aging warehouses in a new partnership with Kentucky Utilities Company.
The new ground-mounted solar array will provide about 268,000 kilowatt-hours per year of energy for security, lighting for barrel elevators and office spaces in rickhouses along State Route 52. Constructed by KU’s partner Solar Alliance, the solar panel system began producing power in February.
This is not the first step the Kentucky distiller has taken to be more sustainable. Maker’s Mark is also working to protect white oak trees critical for bourbon production and installed electric car charging stations at its distillery.
