LaFontaine Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram (CDJR) of Fenton, Michigan recently finished construction of the largest solar panel array at any Midwest vehicle dealership, continuing the company's commitment to providing a more environmentally friendly workplace.
LaFontaine CDJR installed the last of the 428 solar panels on Feb. 3, which will produce roughly 180,000 kilowatt hours annually and were installed through a collaboration with Powerhome. The panels are expected to reduce the dealership’s electricity usage by 60 percent during its first year of operation.
Powerhome CEO Jayson Waller is thrilled to have helped LaFontaine CDJR in the installation, believing the company to be a strong advocate for renewable resources.
“The fact that LaFontaine will own a majority of their power at their Fenton location says a lot about how much they believe in the value of solar,” Waller said in a press release. “LaFontaine already is a leader in the U.S. auto industry, and adding renewable energy will further position the dealership as environmentally conscious.”
Fiat Chrysler America initially utilized solar panels in its dealerships, and LaFontaine has so far been the only CDJR company in the U.S. to follow suit. LaFontaine CDJR is also the first Michigan dealership to implement the design in its operations.
The solar installations are not the first environmental adjustments made at LaFontaine CDJR's 38,000-square-foot building. In recent years, some of the dealer's green practices include additional roof insulation equal with R-38-level resistance, a white solar reflective roof, interior and exterior LED lighting equipped with advanced control systems, high-recycled content in 90 percent of building materials, waste-stream management, high-efficiency HVAC system and occupancy controls complete with timers featuring Wi-Fi configuration and monitoring, low-flow and measured fixtures for water efficiency and materials being sourced regionally when possible.
LaFontaine Auto Group was founded by Michael LaFontaine Sr. and Maureen LaFontaine, and sells and services vehicle brands Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, Ford, Fiat, Genesis, Honda, Hyundai, Jeep, KIA, RAM, Subaru, Toyota, Volvo and Volkswagen.
Alerts Sign-up