Solar Power for the Win
A logical energy source for the wellness industry
Hot tub businesses are focused on improving customers’ physical health, yet an increasing number are considering how to contribute to broader well-being in areas like their financial health and environmental responsibility. This shift in perspective has prompted some businesses to adopt solar power solutions for their showrooms.
“Wellness is at the core of the products and services our business offers and why we do what we do,” says Amanda Annis, president of Ohio Pools & Spas.
As an extension of that mission, Ohio Pools recently partnered with Kokosing Solar, a solar panel installation company in Ohio, to add solar panels at two of its facilities, saving money and showcasing its sustainability initiatives. This project allows the business to significantly reduce its carbon emissions while generating long-term financial benefits associated with decreased energy costs.
“I think this is an investment in wellness — the wellness of our community, being able to be more energy efficient and independent,” Annis says.
I think this is an investment in wellness — the wellness of our community, being able to be more energy efficient and independent.” Amanda Annis, Ohio Pools & Spas
Annually, the solar panels will produce 138,487 kilowatt-hours of energy, enough to offset the total energy use by over 50% at each building. Ohio Pools & Spas was able to take advantage of federal tax incentives for solar installation, which covered almost half of the total project costs. Over the 30-year lifetime of the system, the project is estimated to save the business more than $290,000.
Annis’ interest in solar began in earnest almost a decade ago. At the time, installing solar panels at Ohio Pools & Spas’ facilities wasn’t financially feasible, but she never lost the idea.
Two years ago, Annis revisited the concept as the business continued to grow and use more energy. At the time, Ohio residents and businesses also experienced exorbitant energy rate increases. After undergoing a feasibility study, Annis’ team partnered with Kokosing Solar to install solar panels on both its main retail showroom and one of its warehouses in early 2023, helping to insulate the business from the effects of an unpredictable market and protecting against inflation.
“Financially, I think it’s going to be a great investment for our business,” she says. “For our types of businesses, I think it makes a lot of sense.”
Kelly King, former owner of Mountain Hot Tub in Montana, also helped his business get solar panels installed at its main retail location. With 113 panels total, the power generated covers about half of its energy usage each month.
King started looking into solar when the facility was built around 2019. In spring 2020, he felt even more motivated to install solar not only because it was cost-effective but also because it generated excitement in the community. While investing in the long-term health of the building, the business could support jobs in the community and get employees excited to have something going on amid the pandemic, King says.
There were two incentives Mountain Hot Tub received that helped offset the costs of installing solar: a $20,000 Rural Energy for America Program grant and a 26% tax break, King says. Combined, these benefits cut Mountain Hot Tub’s out-of-pocket costs in half.
“It seemed like the right time to take some action and get the system put in place to start using it and start saving,” King says. “The quicker we could get it up, the sooner it could pay itself back, and we start getting a return on our investment.”
