Key Takeaways Regular solar panel cleaning helps maintain energy output by removing dirt, salt residue, and debris that block sunlight and reduce efficiency. Most homeowners should clean solar panels once or twice per year, with coastal and high-dust areas often needing more frequent service. Professional solar panel cleaning protects your investment by safely removing buildup without damaging surfaces, wiring, or warranties. Solar panels are designed to be low maintenance, but that does not mean they are maintenance-free. Over time, dirt, dust, pollen, bird droppings, and coastal salt can reduce how much sunlight reaches your panels. When that happens, your system produces less energy, and your savings take a hit. Here on California’s Central Coast, solar panel cleaning plays a bigger role than many homeowners realize. This guide explains how often solar panels should really be cleaned, what affects cleaning frequency, and how proper maintenance protects your investment. Our par

Hello from Rutherford Equipment Rental! Since 1991, we have proudly supported the wine industry with a wide range of rental equipment, including tanks, bottling equipment, filtration systems, and sanitation tools. Our team brings decades of hands-on wine production experience, allowing us to truly understand and meet the needs of our customers. Why Choose Us? Extensive Selection: We offer a diverse range of tanks in various sizes as well as a large variety of bottling equipment, ensuring you find the perfect fit for your production needs. Expert Support: Our knowledgeable team is here to assist you with any questions or concerns, providing personalized service to help you succeed. Explore Our Catalog Check out our comprehensive catalog here. You’ll find detailed information on our equipment, making it easy to find what you need. Get in Touch If you see something you’re interested in, feel free to reach out to us for availability and pricing. We’re here to help y

In addition to industry specific wage increases coming next month, several cities and counties in California are also increasing local minimum wages. Increased wages apply only to hours worked on and after July 1, 2024. These Local Wage Increases are Effective July 1, 2024 Alameda, CA: $17.00/hour; Berkeley, CA: $18.67/hour; Emeryville, CA: $19.36/hour; Fremont, CA: $17.30/hour; Los Angeles, CA (City): $17.28/hour; $20.32/hour for hotels with 60 or more rooms Los Angeles County, CA (unincorporated areas): $17.27/hour; Malibu, CA: $17.27/hour; Milpitas, CA: $17.70/hour; Pasadena, CA: $17.50/hour; San Francisco, CA: $18.67/hour; $16.51/hour for a small number of “Government Supported Employees”; Santa Monica, CA: $17.27/hour; $20.32/hour for hotels and businesses operating on hotel property West Hollywood, CA: $19.61/hour for hotel employees California employers should adjust their wages to reflect their location. Employers with remote and hybrid employees may need to ad

Afternoon Brief, February 16th

Hoopes Winery Civil Trial in Napa County Wraps After 11 Days, Ruling Could Take Months: Whether Napa Valley vintner Lindsay Hoopes has been using company structures as a shield against liability was the focus Wednesday of the 11th and final day of trial in a county lawsuit over alleged winery permit violations...

(February 9, 2024, Novato, CA) – The California Department of Food & Agriculture’s Preliminary Grape Crush Report for 2023 was released today. The crush of 3.668 million tons stayed in line with the Ciatti Company’s earlier pre-harvest projections of 3.5 - 3.7 million tons  Ciatti’s experienced brokers are available for further details, comments & analysis on the 2023 California Grape Crush Report. Please call 415-458-5150. North Coast The takeaway from the North Coast is that the 2023 crush looked a lot like the rest of the state where wineries were willing to receive grapes only to the contracted volumes and then held growers to that number. Unlike much of the rest of the state, in the North Coast there was a late season spot market for grapes in Napa and Sonoma that cleaned up any extra tonnage. A noteworthy highlight from the North Coast harvest in 2023: Napa County harvested 92,262 tons of Cabernet Sauvignon up from 73,812 tons in 2022. - Chr

Afternoon Brief, December 27th

PacifiCorp’s Wildfire Settlements Highlight Winery Lawsuits for 2020 Smoke Losses: Three Willamette Valley courts have just ruled that several Valley wineries may move forward with their suits against PacifiCorp for igniting wildfires that they claim ruined their 2020 harvests and vintages with smoke taint...

Afternoon Brief, July 24th

Livermore Winery Owner Dies After Car Crash: A two-car collision Friday afternoon resulted in the death of a 59-year-old man, the Livermore Police Department said. The driver was identified as Mitchell Katz, the Alameda County Coroner’s Office confirmed to KRON4. Katz was the owner of Mitchell Katz Winery in Livermore...