Today we "flipped the switch" to solar power.
We were lucky enough to be joined by several local leaders including Ken Colburn of the Maine Climate Council, Brian Hubbell of the Governor’s Office of Policy Innovation and the Future, and local State Representative Nicole Grohoski.
Solar panels were installed on the rooftops of the dealership buildings here to provide renewable clean electricity for the dealership. “Stanley Subaru is proud to be a sustainability leader. To my knowledge, we are the first automotive dealership in the state of Maine to convert to be 100% driven by the sun. We are committed to environmentally sustainable business practices,” said Mark Politte, owner of Stanley Subaru.
The solar project is just another step on Stanley Subaru’s journey of good corporate and environmental citizenship. In 2001 we began recycling waste oil from oil changes to heat our buildings in the winter. We moved to LED lighting. We undertook other projects, and in 2017 Stanley Subaru was named a Subaru Certified Eco-Friendly dealership. This is a voluntary environmental program for dealerships who want to embrace environmental sustainability. The comprehensive program, which helped Stanley Subaru minimize their environmental impact, focuses on five key areas of a dealership: energy efficiency, water conservation, recycling, waste management and community involvement. The next year we partnered with TerraCycle to save tons (actual tons!) of plastic from landfill.
"Switching the dealership's power to solar is the environmentally responsible thing to do, and it is the right time with EVs coming forward,” said Politte. Solar power also saves us our electricity bill, providing financial stability for the business. “Solar power is free and quiet, will help combat climate change and provide a healthier environment, cleaner air,” continued Politte. “One change made by one business can have a huge positive impact on the planet. Choosing solar power is an eco-friendly investment for future generations, another way for us to ‘give back’ to our local community by minimizing the environmental impact of our business operations.”
Installation of the solar panels on the roof of the dealership was done by SolarLogix located in Belfast, Maine. SolarLogix was chosen because they are a small, local, family-owned and operated business like Stanley Subaru. They employ local workers, which supports the local economy. In addition, the owner has a passion for protecting the environment.
“Solar is the fastest growing and one of the most affordable sources of clean, renewable energy. It is a sustainable choice and an excellent financial investment. We are proud to partner with Stanley Subaru on this important project," said Josh Oxley, President and owner of SolarLogix. The solar project includes the installation of 343 panels in total, 267 on the main building and 76 on the used car building across the street. Each panel can generate up to 450 watts. At full operation, the “grid tie-back” system generates 168.88 MWh of electricity per year, covering the dealership’s current use.
