Contact:
Jim Geisking
Geisking Public Relations
jim@geiskingpr.com
608.558.0693
MADISON, WI – June 21, 2023 marks the sixth summer solstice since Smart Motors had its solar panels installed on the rooftop of their new vehicle and service center facility. The summer solstice, being the day with the most minutes of daylight each year, has become something of an event for the dealership. Smart Motors’ staff keeps tabs on the monitoring system via a web portal (https://monitoringpublic.solaredge.com/solaredge-web/p/kiosk?guid=bf9210dd-fd3d-4bee-89b0-f60d322ab4ac) to see just how much power is harvested on this particular day each year.
“I know it doesn’t sound all that exciting for the average person,” says Smart Motors’ assistant general manager Rob Jordan, “but we get a charge out of it… excuse the pun.”
In November of 2017, solar panel installation was completed at Smart Toyota in order to use solar energy to help power their operations. It is still the largest solar panel system installed by an automotive dealership in Wisconsin. Comprised of 940 SolarWorld panels, it is a 325 kilowatt DC (direct current) rated structure. Smart reaped nearly 430,000 kilowatt hours in its first year alone. The system has a 25-year life expectancy, meaning that in a quarter-century, the system will yield just shy of 10,000,000 kilowatt hours and will generate about 37 percent of the energy needed to run the building annually.
“Aside from the initial investment, it’s all been reward,” he says. “When the system was installed, we were entitled to quite a few rebates, credits and incentives from various sources which cut our investment in half. I’m guessing by the end of year three or four the entire system completely paid for itself in power savings for the dealership.”
Jordan says in the six-plus years the panels have been operational, the dealership has not had any maintenance issues with any part of it.
The National Auto Dealers Association (NADA) notes that auto dealerships face close to $2 billion in energy costs annually, their third highest operating expense. The untapped savings from solar is equal to
2-3 more vehicles sold per month – yes, that’s each month for decades!
Many dealerships and auto manufacturers like Toyota are investing in a variety of energy upgrades like solar energy, efficient LED lighting, and electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, all of which are being implemented by Smart Toyota.
“EV sales have grown dramatically in the last six years,” says Jordan. “Our EV charging stations are free for anyone to use. If we were still relying solely on non-renewable energy, this would cost the business a small fortune, but by going solar we are able to offer it to any of our guests that need a quick charge.”
Solar power is one way to alleviate energy expenditures, which are a direct result of energy-intensive showrooms and lots accompanied by long operating hours. The dealership has not only reduced their operating costs, but they’ve also built a more sustainable business.
“I think this really helps to demonstrate Smart Motors’ commitment to environmental sustainability,” says Jordan. “Although most people probably don’t even realize we’re using solar; the panels are nearly imperceptible except from certain vantage points from the beltline.”
Here are a few additional fun facts about solar energy from Earth.org:
- Solar is the Most Abundant Energy Source on Earth
An hour and half’s worth of solar energy that reaches to the surface of the planet has enough power to meet all of humanity’s energy consumption for an entire year.
- Solar is the Fastest and Most Popular Form of New Electricity Generation
Global solar power rose by 22% in 2020 as installations have experienced a boom. Together with wind power, renewable output has more than doubled since 2015.
- Solar Will Become 35% Cheaper By 2024
Industry experts have predicted that the US will double its solar installations to four million by 2023 while global uptake is projected to soar as more countries turn to solar to help meet their climate goals. A positive uptake trend will allow solar costs to decline by 15% to 35% by 2024.
- Solar Power in 2020 was the Cheapest Electricity in History
According to a 2020 report by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), solar power is now the cheapest electricity in history. In most major countries, solar technology is also cheaper than coal and gas.
- Solar Technologies Are Getting More Efficient
According to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), most panels today are between 15% and 20% efficient. Panels’ efficiency has improved consistently over the past decade and their resistance to extreme weather has been drastically improved, bringing their average durability to about three decades with little to no loss in efficiency.
- Scientists Are Exploring the Idea of Building Solar Power Stations in Space
In 2020 European Space Agency (ESA) launched a campaign to collect new innovative ideas for technologies to increase the feasibility of space-based solar power to support the provision of clean energy. Meanwhile, some prototypes are already underway in some countries.
About Smart Motors
Smart Motors was founded in 1908 by O.D. Smart and is one of the nation’s oldest automotive dealerships, is the mid-west’s largest hybrid dealer, Wisconsin’s largest Toyota Certified Used Vehicle dealer and one of Wisconsin’s largest volume Toyota dealers. Located at 5901 Odana Road, Smart Motors is Wisconsin’s only two-time President’s Cabinet Award recipient from Toyota Motor Sales for superior customer service & sales volume. More information about Smart Motors.
