ABRA owners power their business with solar energy
At various ABRA Auto Body locations across the country, some facility owners are turning to solar power to reduce their environmental footprint and increase their bottom line.
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Tyler Morris, director of ABRA Auto Body in Ellensburg, Washington, added solar panels to the roof of his family facility to generate electricity for operations, limit their carbon footprint and reduce their dependence on fluctuating oil prices. electricity. The roof of their building provided an ideal location for the power-generating panels.
According to the Solar Energy Industry Association, energy accounts for nearly 20% of average commercial building expenses. By going solar, the building can reduce its electricity bill by up to 40%, improving its margins and bottom line.
Keith Clingan, who has four ABRA Auto Body and Glass locations in eastern Tennessee, also installed solar panels on the roof of his repair plant in Cleveland, Tennessee, to take advantage of the southern sun.
“We added solar panels about four years ago,” said Frank Runion, general manager of ABRA Auto Body Repair of Cleveland. “Our main motivations were energy savings and the energy improvement tax credit. Since then we have had no maintenance, which is very good, and the panels have worked very well. It was a smart investment. »
The plant also switched to water-based paint and expanded its recycling program for metal, cardboard and other materials.
Commercial solar panel installations are eligible for a variety of federal and state incentives that reduce the overall cost of solar energy. The main federal incentive is the Investment Tax Credit (ITC), a credit of 30% of the total cost of the system. The owner is also permitted to depreciate the system under the Modified Five-Year Accelerated Cost Recovery System (MACRS), under certain conditions. Many states also have different incentives, including rebates, renewable energy credits, and financing programs. To learn more about incentive programs and tax credits, visit seia.org.
ABRA Auto Body Repair provides guidance and resources to its franchise members looking to make energy efficiency improvements and reduce waste. These improvements include energy audits and process reviews, as well as advice on tools and technology to improve air quality, reduce waste and reduce energy costs.
For more information, visit ABRAauto.com.