AVONDALE ESTATES, Ga. – The Lost Druid, an “own-premise” brewery in Avondale Estates is now the first brewery in DeKalb County powered with solar energy provided by Velo Solar.
The 14.1 kW solar installation was created and is maintained by Atlanta-based Velo Solar. The array will save The Lost Druid as much as 15 percent on its annual power bill. In addition to that cost savings, it will reduce the operation’s carbon footprint by 42 metric tons of CO2 each year.
Created through a special financing arrangement offered by Velo Solar, the solar equipment is provided through a Solar Energy Procurement Agreement (SEPA). This allowed the panels and other infrastructure to be installed at no upfront cost to The Lost Druid.
The Lost Druid’s solar array will produce 21,514 kilowatt hours of power annually. This helps to run the brewery’s 6,800 square-foot operation, including its brewery, taproom, aging facility, kitchen, and upstairs event space.
Stacia Familo-Hopek, owner and co-founder of The Lost Druid, said the decision to “go solar” is in keeping with the brewery’s core mission.
“The Druids respected nature, and this is one of numerous measures we employ to minimize our impact on the environment,” she said. “Other environmentally sensitive initiatives we use include reclamation of our chilling water, a natural carbonation process, LED lighting and providing spent grain to local farmers for livestock feed.”
She said The Lost Druid selected Velo Solar to provide the solar installation because of Velo’s demonstrated expertise and customer-centric approach.
Britt Lothridge, director of sales for Velo Solar, said Georgia business owners have more options than ever to add solar to their energy resources. SEPAs make it easy to save money and contribute to a healthier environment, he explained.
“This is a great option for forward-thinking clients who want to reduce their reliance on utility-provided power without a hefty upfront investment,” he said. “They not only pay less for electricity month-to-month, but they also reduce reliance on fossil fuels.”
About Velo Solar
Velo Solar, a premier full-service solar EPC (engineering, procurement, and construction) firm headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, has been powering commercial businesses with sustainable renewable energy solutions since 2008. Specializing in turnkey commercial solar installations, energy storage systems, real-time monitoring through proprietary PowerEnfo software, and comprehensive operations and maintenance services, Velo Solar’s innovative design-build approach ensures customized, data-driven projects that reduce costs, enhance resiliency, and support sustainability goals for clients across the Southeast and beyond.
For more information, visitwww.velosolar.com.
About The Lost Druid
The Lost Druid Brewery & Distillery, nestled in the vibrant town of Avondale Estates, Georgia, was founded by Robert Hopek and his wife Stacia Familo-Hopek, drawing inspiration from ancient Druid connections to nature, beer, and the solstices—particularly meaningful as Robert was born on the Winter Solstice. What began as a vision in the early 2010s came to fruition in June 2019 with a grand opening timed precisely to the summer solstice, marking it as one of the first own-premise breweries in the area following Georgia’s updated beer laws. A longtime homebrewer with a background in technology entrepreneurship, Robert Hopek serves as the master brewer, crafting small-batch beers on a Slovenian Brewiks system while fostering a community-focused taproom that has earned accolades, including top rankings in Atlanta’s craft beer scene.
The Lost Druid’s ever-changing lineup features innovative takes on classic styles inspired by American, European, and global traditions, including standout offerings like the refreshing Reaper of Souls ale-lager hybrid, the honey basil-infused Aromatic Hive, hazy IPAs, fruit-forward tarts and sours from the Art of Tart series, smoked malts in beers like Great Trilithon, and bold imperials such as bourbon barrel-aged Dagda. Community-driven brewing often incorporates customer suggestions and culinary influences, paired with unique hard seltzers and spirits from the on-site distillery, all served in a welcoming gastropub setting with pet-friendly patios and chef-crafted shareable plates designed to complement the beers.
Visit thelostdruid.com for more information and updates, or search @thelostdruid on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
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