Case Study

Arlington Toyota – Palatine, Illinois

641 kW
System Size
$75,000/yr
Annual Savings
30%
Energy Offset
$1.9M
25-Year Savings

The Situation

Arlington Toyota, a high-volume dealership in Palatine, IL, was paying ComEd over $180,000 annually. The showroom, service department, and lot lighting were major electricity consumers. GM Gary Vicari connected with Commercial-Solar.org through a business contact who had seen the ESP model at another Illinois business.

Our Approach

Solar One Illinois designed a 641 kW system using 1,540 panels across the main building and service center rooftops. ComEd interconnection was completed in 74 days. The ESP model funded the full project using the dealership's federal tax liability — zero capital outlay required.

The Outcome

The system commissioned in 2021 and immediately cut the monthly electricity bill by approximately $6,250. Annual savings of $75,000 against an ESP payment of $52,000 produce $23,000 net first-year benefit. Gary Vicari called it "a tremendous asset to the business, to our image, and to our electric bill." The visible rooftop array has generated customer comments and media coverage.

Client name changed for privacy. Results vary. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.

Questions About This Project

How do auto dealerships qualify for commercial solar?
Dealerships combine large building footprints, significant daytime electricity consumption, high federal tax liability from inventory and operations, and often-substantial roof area. These factors align perfectly with the ESP model. The auto dealer sector is among the most active commercial solar adopters in Illinois and nationally.
Can a dealer group deploy solar across multiple locations?
Yes. Multi-location dealer groups can structure solar across facilities as a portfolio, often achieving better pricing per watt and simplifying ESP administration. We have worked with groups deploying 3-8 locations simultaneously in Illinois, Texas, and Florida.
What is the ROI for a dealership solar project?
For a dealership paying $150,000-$250,000 annually on electricity, a 500-800 kW system generates $60,000-$90,000 in annual savings. Under the ESP model, year-one net benefit is typically $15,000-$30,000, growing as utility rates increase. Over 25 years, total savings typically exceed $1.5-$2.5 million.

Your Facility Could Achieve Similar Results.

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