Refining energy sources in winemaking industry by using solar energy as alternatives for fossil fuels: A review and perspective

Winemaking is a global industry that needs to advance with the times taking into consideration the developing drinking needs, tastes of human beings and the growing demand on the world's renewable energy sources. Climate changes have brought nowadays challenges of energy requirements, subsequent emissions and the detrimental effects facing the winemaking industry and mankind. Given its energy requirements, concomitant emissions and the pernicious effects, winemaking industry should bear the brunt of improving energy utilization efficiency and promoting the development and adoption of renewable energy utilization technologies. Various kinds of renewable energy are being used in winemaking industry worldwide, especially solar energy in the form of solar thermal and solar photovoltaic, which offer a clean solution to fossil fuels shortage and pollutant emissions caused by or involved in winemaking processes. The objective of this paper to present challenges facing solar energy utilization in winemaking by summarizing the status of solar energy utilization in wineries worldwide, by outlining the current solar energy profile of these wineries and by stressing the existing and potential application aspects of solar energy in winemaking. Considering the more rapid development of PV industry, PV chain and economic feasibility are analyzed. By taking China as an example, the comparison and asymmetry between PV production and active solar-related winemaking are stressed aimed at appealing to winemakers and policymakers to turn more to renewable energy like solar energy. Based on that, essential suggestions are provided, which are expected to extend solar energy systems for subsequent contributions to energy conversation, environmental protection and reduction of land occupation.