(January 27, 2014) TORRANCE, Calif. — Of the approximately 17,500 automobile dealers in the United States, Rossi Honda of Vineland, N.J., is the nation's first and only dealer to achieve "Electric Grid Neutral" status, producing as much as or more energy from renewable energy sources than it consumes from  its local electric utility over a one-year period.

Working closely with Honda's Environmental Leadership Program team, the independently-owned dealership was able to quantify its energy use and develop and execute a plan to make it the nation's first electric grid neutral dealer, a significant achievement for a type of business that has large energy needs.

Electric Grid Neutral buildings reduce CO2 emissions resulting from the generation of electricity by the nation's electric grid.

Rossi's precedent-setting achievement earned it a top-level "Platinum" Honda Environmental Leadership Award, reserved for dealers who verifiably reduce their net grid electricity use to zero (Electric Grid Neutral) or achieve LEED2 certification. Through a combination of energy efficiency measures and on-site solar energy, the dealership reduced its annual grid electricity consumption by approximately 321,000 kWh and annual CO2  output by approximately 341,000 pounds.

In 2012, Rossi installed a 223kW solar PV system that generated 90 percent of its total electricity consumption from solar energy. In March 2013 Rossi replaced the metal halide lamps on its parking lot light poles with LED lamps, reducing its energy consumption by 22 percent. After the lighting upgrade, the solar PV system now generates over 100% of the dealership's annual electricity use, achieving Rossi's goal of Electric Grid Neutral.

The local electric utility invoices Rossi Honda the difference between its electricity consumed and electricity generated by the dealer's photovoltaic solar system. Ron Rossi, the dealership's owner, saw a steep decrease in the electricity he consumed from the utility, and a corresponding steep decrease on his utility bills.

Automobile dealers have unique energy use characteristics that are different from other typical commercial or industrial energy users. Abundant parking lot and interior lighting, an auto service and repair operation, and an on-site car wash are all common features that can contribute to high energy demand.

Honda, which launched its U.S. "Green Dealer" program in 2012, has developed a measurable and verifiable system to help its dealers achieve significant reductions in energy use and cut their CO2 emissions. The voluntary program has three successive target levels - Silver, Gold and Platinum — that allow dealers to develop incremental improvement strategies. 

To achieve the entry-level Silver award, dealers must achieve a 10 percent minimum reduction in total energy use. The Gold level award requires dealers to reduce their energy use by 30 percent or more. To date, 200 dealers have enrolled in the program, and 28 have earned an award.

Rossi is the first Electric Grid Neutral Honda dealer in the country and the fourth to earn the highest level Platinum Environmental Leadership Award from Honda.