When Mazda Lakeland celebrated the grand opening of its environmentally friendly dealership last year, its most impressive commitment to the environment was still in the works: the installation of 412 solar panels to further reduce the dealership’s carbon footprint.

The installation resulted in a 46.5 % decrease in energy costs. The rooftop solar energy system has the capacity to generate more than 311,736 kilowatt hours annually.

According to Mazda Lakeland General Manager Sophia Justiz, “We anticipated a cost reduction, but not in the neighborhood of fifty percent.  It definitely exceeded our expectations.”

Mazda Lakeland’s rooftop solar project was installed by ESA, a national clean energy development corporation with a diverse portfolio that includes industrial and community projects in 22 states. According to ESA Account Executive Anne Shirley Lewis, “Together we’re reducing costs and driving sustainability in a tangible way that resonates with modern consumers.”

Added Justiz: “In recent years we Floridians have experienced incredibly hot – let’s say bright – summers,” she noted. “Being able to capture that solar energy and then pass those savings on to our customers?  Well, that’s something we want to shout from our energized rooftop.”