Sustainability Becomes A Reality

Annieglass, a Watsonville based woman and family-owned glassware business received a Department of Energy grant as part of Biden Harris Investing in America agenda. It provides significant funding through the American Rescue Plan, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the CHIPS and Science Act, and the Inflation Reduction Act. High energy using small manufacturers were chosen to convert to renewables in the first round of funding with emphasis on women and minority owned businesses.

 Annieglass received a grant for converting its Watsonville glass production studio to solar. 249 - 6’ X 5’ panels installed on the roof generate 1000 watts of power daily, as much energy as the average home uses in a month, to operate the 30 electric ovens used to make Annieglass. The company has the capacity to produce as many as 60,000 pieces annually. Best known for durable glass dinnerware, home decor and sculpture, 2 pieces of Annieglass have been part of the permanent collection of the Smithsonian Museum since 2006.

ICA (Industrial Assessment Centers) were created to find and assist applicants in the application process. Due to the large usage of electricity to melt glass, Annieglass was assessed by the engineering department of San Jose State University in the summer of 2023. Their assessment was used in the application and notice was given at the end of October 2023 that Annieglass won a matching grant to convert to renewable energy. The Department of Energy grant was for $320,000. Annieglass was reimbursed for half that amount. The 16,000 square foot rooftop solar installation is generating an average of 112 kilowatts or 112,000 watts which is equal to what a neighborhood of 29 homes could generate. The solar panels will reduce electricity costs by 50%.

• Annieglass will be preventing 162 tons of carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere.
• The 252 solar panels will generate 210,000 KWhrs which could power a neighborhood of 29 homes.
• Annieglass will use their sustainability logo, knowing that it is not just a phrase of good intentions but a reality.