3 New York Automobile Dealerships Install Solar and Storage Microgrids
Three auto dealerships in New York have a more economical and sustainable way to charge the electric vehicles on their lot – a state-of-the-art solar and energy storage microgrid.
The grid-connected microgrids were installed by Sprocket Power, a clean energy solutions provider, at Vail GMC Hummer, in Bedford Hills, Croton Auto Park, in Croton-on-Hudson, and Yonkers Honda in Yonkers.
The systems primarily use the solar energy stored in microgrid’s batteries to charge EVs on the lot.
The microgrid can optimize each dealer’s energy use, pulling power from or exporting it to the grid based on grid conditions. It also improves each dealerships energy resilience by ensuring operations continue during power outages.
“Dealerships have led the way in transportation electrification and finding ways to incorporate technology to reduce strains on the power grid,” said Mark Schienberg, president of the Greater New York Automobile Dealers Association. “These three business owners are providing additional leadership with these forward looking installations, showcasing how sustainable practices can benefit both business strength and the New York energy system.”
Sprocket Power leveraged federal incentive programs to reduce installation costs by up to 60%. It is expected that the dealerships will reduce their net utility bills by up to 90%.
“As more of our customers adopt electric vehicles, we are thinking boldly about ways to serve increased demand, which includes facilitating the buildout of wide-spread and cost-efficient charging infrastructure,” said Britt Reichborn-Kjennerud, director of E-mobility at Con Edison, which collaborated with Sprocket Power on the project.
Sprocket Power also engaged students at the State University of New York Purchase to develop an interactive display for the battery storage system. The design includes a QR code that links to a web page that will show system performance data, including greenhouse gas emissions data.
“These systems support improved outcomes for businesses and NY ratepayers alike and represent a forward-looking way to improve grid efficiency,” said Maria Fields, CEO of Sprocket Power.
Rumors of the demise of EVs…
Mark Twain once said that rumors of his demise had been greatly exaggerated. The same could be said for the American EV industry.
Car manufacturers, including those in Detroit, have lowered their EV production expectations in recent months, causing many to lament the demise of the industry. However, data shows that the U.S. market is still growing, albeit at a slower and perhaps more uneven pace than some pundits had hoped.
As of October, sales for plug-in electric EVs (PEVs), which includes both battery electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles, were up around 9% from 2023, according to the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation.
Further, PEVs accounted for 10% of all light duty vehicle sales in October, up 0.6% from 2023 and 2.6% from 2022.
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Kelly Blue Book reported that the share of EVs reached 8.9% at the end of the third quarter – a new record and an increase from just 7.8% of sales in Q3 2023.
The car dealership microgrids are one more step towards achieving the states’ ambitious goal of generating 70% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030.
