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Austin-based Freedom Solar has announced it has signed a contract with Lost Pines Toyota in Bastrop for a major solar power installation that will make Lost Pines the first automotive dealership in Bastrop to go solar.
"Lost Pines Toyota is already a leader in green initiatives, and with this installation, they will take a giant leap forward in terms of sustainability and cost savings," said Freedom Solar CEO Bret Biggart. "We are proud that they chose Freedom Solar for this important project."
The Lost Pines Toyota project will involve installing more than 700 high-performance SunPower solar panels on all of the 34,000-square-foot dealership's rooftops, including its showroom, sales and service departments, and quick-lube oil change facility.
The panels will produce 366,970 kilowatt hours (kWh) of solar power annually, a 60% energy offset that will remove 245.9 tons of carbon dioxide from the air every year. That is equivalent to 9,835 trees cleansing the air for one year, or the amount of CO2 that would be removed from the air by taking 30 cars off the road per year.
The project is estimated to save Lost Pines Toyota $750,000 over the 25-year lifetime of the panels. Freedom began the installation on November 4, and the project is slated for completion by the end of the year.
"We are proud to be the first dealership in Bastrop to install solar power," said Carlos Liriano, Lost Pines Toyota owner.
"We have made green initiatives a priority, and we recognize the time for solar power has come. When we began seriously investigating solar, we found Freedom has a stellar reputation, superior product, excellent pricing, quality personnel and a high level of service."
Lost Pines Toyota is the only Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold-certified dealership in the Austin area. The LEED-Gold designation in new construction is the recognized system for certifying high-performance green facilities that are healthy, productive places to work; are less costly to operate and maintain; and have a reduced environmental footprint.
Other green initiatives Lost Pines has undertaken include a water collection cistern that recycles rainwater and air conditioner condensation, helping irrigate the dealership's native landscaping and cut back on water consumption; reducing noise pollution by eliminating its overhead PA system storewide; handwashing vehicles to reduce water usage; outfitting sales staff in shirts made from recycled materials; wearing unique recycled wood nametags; reusing and recycling printing paper; and implementing the use of iPads throughout the service department, including by technicians, with the goal of going completely paperless.
"Going forward, we expect solar to become the energy choice of leading auto dealerships throughout Central Texas, and we look forward to providing these forward-thinking businesses with the most advanced solar solutions, products, and service that provide the highest return on investment," said Biggart.
Related Links
Freedom Solar Power
All About Solar Energy at SolarDaily.com
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