One of the largest car dealership groups in the United States has successfully installed 10,000 solar panels across several of its dealerships.
Rooftop Solar Solutions for Car Dealerships
Austin-based Freedom Solar Power, which collaborates directly with leading automakers including Toyota, Ford, Volkswagen, Volvo, Audi, and Hyundai/Genesis, facilitated the solar panel installation for Group 1 Automotive.
Ryan Ferrero, Freedom Solar Power’s national automotive manager, stated, “Dealerships typically have large roof spaces capable of supporting solar arrays that can significantly reduce their energy expenses. As auto dealers learn more about the advantages of solar power, they increasingly recognize it as a beneficial strategy for the environment, society, and their bottom line.”
Energy costs represent a significant overhead for car dealerships due to their long operating hours and the energy-intensive nature of both showrooms and lots. To combat high energy usage and ensure a stable power supply, many dealerships are turning to rooftop solar installations.
Although Group 1 Automotive did not disclose the specific locations of the 10,000 solar panels, the company announced plans to implement solar installations across 25 dealerships by the end of 2024.
Electrek’s Perspective
Car dealerships have ample rooftop space similar to that of warehouses and big-box retail stores. Installing solar panels makes perfect sense. By reducing emissions, cutting costs, and generating clean energy for electric vehicle charging, car dealerships have much to gain from adopting solar energy.