Freedom Solar Power has announced its agreement with Parkway Auto Group to install solar arrays at its Honda dealership Dover, Ohio. Parkway Honda’s solar initiative opens the door to future solar installations at Parkway dealerships. The company aims to become 75% sustainable in the future. Parkway Honda has set a new standard for Ohio’s automotive dealerships. They have invested in on-site power generation and are the first Tuscarawas County car dealerships to do so.
Bret Biggart, Freedom Solar CEO, stated that Parkway Honda’s partnership is making waves as Ohio’s most prominent solar installation in the auto industry. “We are proud that we have partnered with them to make their business more efficient and help them reach their sustainable goals.
Freedom Solar installed a 7,038-square-foot solar array. Freedom Solar installed a 7,038 sq. Parkway Honda’s solar array will help reduce its carbon footprint by 91.9 metric tons of CO2. This solar system offsets 1,516 trees planted and 20 cars taken off the roads yearly. The solar array was completed recently.
Parkway Honda Partner Mark C. Mears said, “We couldn’t be happier with this decision.” “We are proud to be the first to go solar in our county and are pleased to lead the charge within Dover and Tuscarawas County. We are not only reducing our carbon footprint but also obtaining benefits never before seen.
Beyond electricity bills, the decision to go solar significantly impacts many components. Mears said several factors influenced the company’s decision not to convert to on-site power generation at their Honda dealership. This decision was something they had been considering for some time. The factors that influenced the decision were financial incentives from the federal and local governments, testimony from dealers in other parts, and the fact the Honda dealership has enough roof space to house solar arrays strong enough to offset large amounts of their energy bills. Mears selected Freedom Solar to be their solar contractor following a referral from Honda Green Dealer. This initiative is Honda’s way of helping independent Honda dealers reduce their environmental footprint. Parkway Honda is proud to be a participant in Honda Green Dealer Program. This program includes battery stored energy. Parkway Honda is committed to a cleaner and greener future. They are working to reduce energy consumption and improve their operations to be more sustainable.
Biggart stated that “installing solar has become an economic strategy for entrepreneurial auto dealers and is growing rapidly amongst dealer nationwide.”
The federal solar investment credit (ITC), has been a significant incentive for organizations to choose to go solar since 2020. The solar tax credit was extended by Congress through 2023 as part of a larger initiative to make solar energy more attractive than traditional electric power.
Freedom Solar has been a commercial specialist in the Auto Dealer market. They have completed many turn-key solar generator systems for dealers all across America. Solar is the future for car dealerships. The Solar/Dealership relationship is a perfect example of a hand-in glove fit. Solar is becoming more affordable for businesses across the country, but it’s especially important for the automotive industry. The National Automobile Dealers Association, (NADA) states that energy costs are the third most expensive overhead operating expense for a dealership due to its long operating hours and high-energy showrooms and lots. Many dealerships are also reporting rising electricity costs. Because of this, they have turned to solar power to reduce their high energy expenses and guarantee reliable electricity.
Mears stated that going solar was a smart financial investment. “We are committed to environmental sustainability and switching to solar power is a way we demonstrate our commitment.”