The average car wash pays between $0.50 and $1 in electricity costs for each car that drives through the suds, says one study by ElectricChoice.com. Automated car washes depend heavily on electricity — one of the largest portions of their operational costs.
That’s why Southeastern Pennsylvania car wash chain Mr. Wizard Car Wash looked into solar. Last fall, Mr. Wizard owner Gary Regester flipped the switch on his first solar energy system — a 52.8-kW array mounted to the roof of his Aston, Pennsylvania, car wash. Local solar installer Paradise Energy Solutions installed the 132 solar panels that produced 59,952 kWh in its first year. The system should pay for itself within six years.
“It was a wise investment based on the payback over a 20-year period, plus the tax benefits,” shared Regester.
Regester also has a 39.66-kW solar system at his Kennett Square location that was installed in 2019, and two more systems in the works for the Chadds Ford and Worcester locations.
“The savings on electric and tax advantages make it a no brainer,” he said. “Besides the obvious savings, I see an increase in the value of my properties. Recent appraisals show the property value increasing by more than the cost of the solar installation.”
And for Mr. Wizard Car Wash, there was another major incentive for installing the system.
“Our car washes have been certified green for several years. The addition of solar is the finishing touch on our being environmentally friendly,” says Regester. “It shows our customers that we are doing our part for the environment.”
News item from Paradise Energy Solutions
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