SAN JOSE, Calif., Aug. 30, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- According to the
National Auto Dealers Association (NADA), energy costs can be a car
dealership's third highest operating expense. With lighted parking
lots, electric tool-filled repair shops, and technology-enhanced
show rooms, auto dealers on average consume 18 percent more energy
than a typical office building, collectively facing nearly
$2 billion in electricity costs
annually – a hefty price for local, family-owned businesses that
make up roughly 80 percent of the industry.
Across the country, SunPower® solar dealers – many of which are
also locally-owned small and medium-sized businesses themselves –
have helped auto dealerships put empty rooftops and expansive
parking lots to better use with high-efficiency solar energy
systems. Oftentimes, these systems serve a dual purpose: While
generating enough energy to significantly reduce an auto
dealership's electricity costs, they also offer protection to
whatever is underneath – be it a newly constructed roof or a fleet
of new cars.
"Solar just makes good business sense in today's energy
environment, and has become integral to many of our facilities'
energy-efficient designs," said Linda
McGinty, Vice President of Real Estate, Luther Auto Group.
"Over the last five years, we've worked with Energy Concepts to
install over 450 kilowatts of high-efficiency SunPower solar at 10
of our dealerships across Minnesota, and have seen significant energy
savings as a result."
Featured automotive companies with SunPower solar include:
Luther Auto Group in Minnesota. As the largest privately owned
automotive group in the Midwest, Luther now has 454 kilowatts of
solar installed across 10 locations. SunPower dealer Energy
Concepts sold, designed and installed the systems which combined
are projected to generate more than $2.1
million in electricity cost savings over 25 years.
Covert Auto in Texas.
Serving the Central Texas
community for five generations, Covert now has 125.6 kilowatts
installed across the roofs of its Ford and Chevy dealerships in
Hutto. Freedom Solar Power sold,
designed and installed the systems which combined meet 53 percent
of the company's electricity needs and are expected to generate
more than $500,000 in energy savings
over 25 years.
Boulder Nissan in Colorado. More than 50 kilowatts of
rooftop solar is currently installed at Boulder Nissan, well known
in the community for its leadership advancing the adoption of
electric vehicles. SunPower dealer Independent Power Systems sold,
designed and installed the system which meets 20 percent of the
company's electricity needs and is expected to generate
$384,000 in energy savings over 25
years when combined with the dealership's upgrade to LED lighting
throughout the facility.
"It's inspiring to help auto dealers see a return on their solar
investment in five to seven years, with some becoming cash-flow
positive in as little as one month," said Ryan Ferrero, CEO of Ignyte Lab which partnered
with Independent Power Systems, a SunPower dealer. "When we can
show auto dealership owners the financial benefits of using
renewable energy and adopting sustainable business practices,
high-quality solar energy solutions end up selling themselves. And
with more than 17,000 new car dealers across the U.S., there's a
huge opportunity to help more in the industry save on electricity
costs with solar."
Like car dealers, global automakers recognize the benefits of
investing in solar as well. In Plano,
Texas, SunPower is working with Toyota to install an
8.79-megawatt system at the Toyota Motor North America's new
headquarters. When complete, it is expected to be the Lone Star
State's largest corporate office on-site solar installation among
non-utility companies.
"It's no surprise that an increasing number of auto customers
find solar to be a reliable, effective way to reduce electric bills
while freeing up operating capital and improving their environment
with emission-free energy," said Nam
Nguyen, SunPower executive vice president. "Through
relentless innovation, SunPower has created smart, simple, and
cost-effective solar systems that allow businesses in any industry
maximize their investment, earning more savings over time."
There are currently more than 17 megawatts of SunPower solar
under construction or operating at auto companies across the U.S.
To learn more about the benefits of solar from car customers with
SunPower systems, visit the SunPower blog here or webpage here.
About SunPower
With more than 30 years of proven
experience, SunPower is a global leader in solar innovation and
sustainability. Our unique approach emphasizes the seamless
integration of advanced SunPower technologies, delivering The
Power of One® complete solar solutions and lasting customer
value. SunPower provides outstanding service and impressive
electricity cost savings for residential, commercial and power
plant customers. At SunPower, we are passionately committed to
changing the way our world is powered. And as we continue shaping
the future of Smart Energy, we are guided by our legacy of
innovation, optimism, perseverance and integrity. Headquartered in
Silicon Valley, SunPower has dedicated, customer-focused employees
in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, North
America and South America.
Since 2011, we've been majority-owned by Total, the fourth largest
publicly-listed energy company in the world. For more information,
visit www.sunpower.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains
"forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, but not
limited to, statements regarding projected electricity cost
savings. These forward-looking statements are based on our current
assumptions, expectations, and beliefs and involve substantial
risks and uncertainties that may cause results, performance, or
achievement to materially differ from those expressed or implied by
these forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or
contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to:
fluctuations or declines in the performance of our solar panels and
other products and solutions. A detailed discussion of these
factors and other risks that affect our business is included in
filings we make with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
from time to time, including our most recent reports on Form 10-K
and 10-Q, particularly under the heading "Risk Factors." Copies of
these filings are available online from the SEC or on the SEC
Filings section of our Investor Relations website at
investors.sunpowercorp.com. All forward-looking statements in this
press release are based on information currently available to us,
and we assume no obligation to update these forward-looking
statements in light of new information or future events.
©2017 SunPower Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
SUNPOWER and the SUNPOWER logo are registered trademarks of
SunPower Corporation in the U.S. and other countries as well.
View original content with
multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/auto-dealers-race-toward-energy-savings-with-sunpower-solar-300511318.html
SOURCE SunPower Corp.