JUNCTION CITY, Ore. -- A small but growing number of Oregon wineries are going solar, reflecting a larger statewide trend among Oregon homeowners and business owners.

KGW file photo

In 2003, 64 new residential photovoltaic projects were built; in 2007, there were 233. On the business side, the number of photovoltaic projects has increased from 29 in 2003 to 109 in 2007.

The Register-Guard newspaper in Eugene reports at least five Oregon wineries have gone solar. They are Pfeiffer Winery in the Willamette Valley as well as the Torri Mor Winery, Stoller Vineyards, Schafer Vineyard Cellar and Sokol Blosser Winery.

Pfeiffer Winery co-owner Danuta Pfeiffer says wineries are a "natural" fit for solar projects because vines grow on sun-washed, south-facing slopes.