Solar for Car Dealerships

Car Dealerships

Car dealerships operate in a highly competitive market. Between the vehicle inventory, customer service, pricing strategies, service operations – every aspect of your dealership contributes to the overall success of the dealership. Switching to solar energy offers your dealership the opportunity to reduce operating costs, enhance your brand image, and align with the growing demand for environmentally friendly practices. Solar is more than just a trend – it is a strategic investment that can drive value, especially in energy-heavy operations like auto dealerships.

Considering Solar for Your Auto Business?

Here are some reasons why auto dealerships across Ohio are making the switch to solar, and how it can benefit your business

Greg Sweet Auto Group Ohio Solar Car Dealership Case Study

“With tax incentives and savings on our electric bills, each of these projects should pay for itself in seven years or less. Electricity is not getting cheap, and if you want to invest money for the long run, solar makes a lot of sense.”
— Greg Sweet, Owner, Greg Sweet Auto Group

Tips for Going Solar at your auto or car business

Reduce Operating Costs

Operating an auto dealership requires significant energy use – lighting showrooms, outdoor lots, HVAC systems, service bays, office equipment, and so much more. Because of these items, your monthly electric bill can be substantial. And with electric rates on the rise, those costs are likely to continue to climb.

By installing on-site solar, your dealership can hedge against these rising rates. Solar generates your electricity needs, reducing your dependence on the local utility. Over the course of 25 to 30 years, this can equate to hundreds of thousands of dollars in funds offset.

Enhance Your Brand Image

More consumers are seeking out businesses that reflect environmental values in today’s buying market. Installing solar at your dealership sends a clear message to your customers and your staff – you care about the environment and are taking actionable steps to reduce your carbon footprint. This message enhances your reputation in your community to be a clear differentiator from your competitors and attracts buyers who are looking for environmentally friendly businesses.

Take Advantage of Incentives

Going solar is not just an energy move, it is also a financially strategic decision, thanks to a range of available incentives in Ohio.

At the federal level, the Investment Tax Credit allows you to deduct 30% of the system cost from taxes owed. This significantly increases your long-terms savings and reduces the payback period of the system itself. There are also state and federal depreciation benefits, which allows you to recover your investment even faster by reducing taxable income in the first few years of installation.

Along with these, certain Ohio utility companies offer net metering, which allows your dealership to send any excess energy produced back to the grid as a credit on your electric bill. This can further offset your energy dependence and costs, especially during summer months when solar production is at the highest.

A Long-Term Investment

While the upfront cost of solar may seem significant at the time, it is important to view the decision as a long-term investment. Solar lasts for decades, offering a reliable, cost-effective energy source. By taking advantage of the incentives now, you protect your dealership from rising electricity costs, ensuring long-term savings.

We’ve Helped many Dealerships go solar

Mark Proter Auto

Greg Sweet Auto Group

Solar stands out as one of the few upgrades that a dealership can make that directly reduces operational costs while also improving your brand reputation. If you are looking for a way to stand out against the competition, reduce your electricity costs, and be an industry leader in clean energy, solar energy is an investment worth considering. Ohio auto dealerships are in the best position to take advantage of federal and state incentives. Want to look at how solar could impact your dealership? We would love to help you explore your options tailored to your energy and financial goals.