Parkway Honda in Dover, Ohio, is making strides towards sustainability by installing a solar power system capable of generating 120.3 kW on-site. This initiative is part of their ambitious plan to achieve 75% sustainability in the near future.
Leading the Charge in Ohio’s Automotive Industry
This month, Parkway Auto Group announced a partnership with Freedom Solar Power to deploy solar arrays at their Honda dealership. This groundbreaking step positions Parkway Honda as a pioneer in solar energy usage among automotive dealerships in Tuscarawas County, setting a new standard for the industry.
“Parkway Honda’s collaboration with Freedom Solar marks a significant development in Ohio’s automotive sector,” commented Bret Biggart, CEO of Freedom Solar. “We’re proud to support them in enhancing their energy efficiency and progressing towards their sustainability objectives.”
Building a Greener Future
Freedom Solar has successfully installed a solar array spanning 7,038 square feet, featuring 248 solar panels. This system will yield an estimated $378,000 in savings over 20 years, significantly reducing the dealership’s carbon footprint by over 91.9 metric tons of CO2 annually—an impact equivalent to planting 1,516 trees or removing 20 cars from the road.
Mark C. Mears, a partner at Parkway Honda, expressed satisfaction with their decision, stating, “We’re proud to be among the first dealerships in the county to adopt solar energy. This move not only helps reduce our electricity bills but also leads to unprecedented environmental benefits.”
Reasons to Embrace Solar
The decision to switch to solar was influenced by various factors beyond simply lowering electricity costs. Mears noted considerations included local and federal financial incentives, insights from other dealerships that have made the transition, and the dealership’s sizable roof space suitable for significant solar energy production.
After receiving a referral from the Honda Green Dealer program—an initiative to help independent dealers minimize their environmental impacts—Mears chose Freedom Solar as their contractor. Parkway Honda is committed to a greener future through various initiatives, including energy storage solutions.
“Installing solar energy systems is becoming an effective cost-reduction strategy for automotive dealers and is increasingly popular nationwide,” said Biggart.
Incentives Driving Solar Adoption
The federal solar investment tax credit (ITC), extended through 2023, has served as a major incentive for organizations exploring solar energy.
Freedom Solar’s Experience in the Automotive Sector
With extensive experience in the automotive dealer sector, Freedom Solar has implemented numerous turn-key solar generation systems for dealerships across the nation. The synergy between solar energy and automotive businesses is evident, particularly as dealerships seek to offset rising energy costs. The National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) reports that energy costs can be the third-highest operational expense for dealerships, driven by long operating hours and energy-intensive facilities.
“Transitioning to solar power is not just financially prudent; it also signifies our dedication to environmental sustainability—an essential element of our corporate mission,” Mears concluded.