When we first opened our doors in Littleton, Colorado, we knew we wanted Rocket Express Car Wash to stand for something more than just a clean vehicle. Sure, a sparkling finish matters, but so does how we get there. That’s why we made the decision to power our entire facility with solar energy.
It wasn’t the easiest choice financially upfront, but it was the right one. As a family-owned and operated business, we think long-term. We consider the community we serve and the planet our kids will inherit. Solar power lets us deliver the same state-of-the-art express tunnel car wash experience our customers expect while dramatically reducing our environmental impact. Combined with our 100% water reclamation system, solar energy is a cornerstone of how we do business, and we’re proud of it.
Why Rocket Express Chose Solar Energy
Let’s be honest: running a car wash takes a lot of energy. Between the conveyor systems, high-pressure pumps, dryers, and lighting, electricity costs can climb quickly. For years, that was just accepted as a cost of doing business. But we started asking ourselves, does it have to be this way?
Colorado gets roughly 300 days of sunshine per year. That’s an incredible natural resource sitting right above our heads, essentially untapped. When we looked at the numbers and the long-term trajectory of energy costs versus solar installation, the math started making sense. More importantly, it aligned with our values.
We’re not a massive corporate chain. We’re a family operation, and that gives us the freedom to make choices based on what feels right, not just what looks good on a quarterly report. Going solar felt right. It meant we could offer fast, friendly, and clean service without relying entirely on the traditional power grid. It meant our customers could drive away knowing their wash was powered by something cleaner than coal or natural gas.
There’s also something to be said for leading by example. Littleton is our home. We want local businesses to see that sustainability isn’t just for tech companies or big corporations, it’s achievable for small businesses too. If a car wash can run on solar, what’s stopping the auto shop down the street? The investment pays off, and it sends a message that we take our responsibility to this community seriously.
How Solar Panels Power Car Wash Operations
You might be wondering how a bunch of panels on a roof actually translate into spinning brushes and powerful dryers. It’s simpler than you’d think, and more effective than most people realize.
Our solar array captures sunlight and converts it into electricity through photovoltaic cells. That electricity feeds directly into our facility’s power system, running everything from the Ryko Manufacturing equipment in our express tunnel to the 12 complimentary vacuum stations we offer customers. On sunny days (and we get plenty of those), solar handles a significant portion of our energy demand.
Energy Efficiency and Cost Savings
Solar energy doesn’t just help the environment, it helps our bottom line, which in turn helps our customers. Lower operational costs mean we can keep our pricing competitive. Our monthly unlimited car wash plans start at just $19 for the Blast & Dash package, and even our premium Rocket Wash is only $29 per month. Those prices reflect the savings we’ve achieved through smart energy choices.
But efficiency doesn’t stop at the solar panels. We’ve paired our renewable energy system with other cutting-edge technology. Our PurWater™ Recovery system from New Wave Industries reclaims and recycles 100% of our wash water. We use just 18 gallons of fresh water per wash, compare that to a typical home wash, which burns through 60 to 120 gallons. When you combine water reclamation with solar power, you’ve got a facility that operates far more efficiently than traditional car washes.
The RFID tags on our unlimited plan windshields? They speed up the process, reducing idle time and energy waste. Every piece of our operation is designed to work smarter, not harder.
Reducing Carbon Footprint Through Renewable Energy
Here’s where the environmental impact really shows up. Traditional electricity generation, especially from fossil fuels, releases carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Every kilowatt-hour we generate from solar is a kilowatt-hour that didn’t come from burning coal or natural gas.
Over the course of a year, the cumulative effect is substantial. We’re talking thousands of pounds of CO2 emissions avoided. And because car washes operate year-round, those savings compound over time. It’s not a one-time gesture: it’s an ongoing commitment.
When customers choose Rocket Express, they’re not just getting a spot-free rinse courtesy of our PurClean™ system, they’re participating in a cleaner way of doing things. That matters to a lot of people these days, and frankly, it matters to us too.
Environmental Benefits of Solar-Powered Car Washes
The environmental case for solar-powered car washes extends beyond just carbon emissions. It’s part of a broader picture of resource conservation and responsible business practices.
Consider water usage again. We mentioned that home car washes use anywhere from 60 to 120 gallons of fresh water. That water runs off driveways, carrying soap, oil residue, and grime directly into storm drains, and eventually into local waterways. At Rocket Express, our reclaim system captures and treats that water, producing odor-free, 5-micron quality water suitable for reuse throughout the wash process. The PurClean and PurWater systems reduce water consumption, sewer load, and electrical usage all at once.
Now layer solar energy on top of that. You’ve got a car wash that:
- Uses renewable energy to power operations
- Recycles 100% of its wash water
- Minimizes fresh water consumption
- Keeps pollutants out of local waterways
- Reduces strain on the electrical grid
This isn’t greenwashing. It’s how we actually operate, every single day.
There’s also the matter of air quality. Traditional power plants contribute to smog and particulate pollution. By drawing less from those sources, solar-powered businesses like ours help reduce the overall demand for dirty energy. In a state like Colorado, where outdoor recreation and clean air are central to our way of life, that contribution matters.
And let’s not forget the wildlife and ecosystems that benefit when we extract fewer fossil fuels, build fewer pipelines, and disturb less land for energy production. Solar panels sit quietly on rooftops, doing their job without disrupting habitats or contaminating groundwater. It’s energy production with a remarkably small footprint.
The Future of Sustainable Car Wash Services
We don’t think solar power is a trend. We think it’s the future, and we intend to stay ahead of that curve.
The car wash industry is evolving. Customers are increasingly aware of environmental issues, and they’re making choices accordingly. A 2024 survey found that over 70% of consumers consider sustainability when deciding where to spend their money. That number is only going up. Businesses that ignore this shift risk falling behind.
At Rocket Express, we see sustainability as an ongoing journey, not a destination. Solar panels were a major step, but we’re always looking for what’s next. Battery storage technology is improving rapidly, which could allow us to store excess solar energy for cloudy days or peak demand periods. Electric vehicle charging stations are another possibility, imagine getting your car washed while it charges, all powered by the sun.
We’re also keeping an eye on advancements in water treatment technology. Our current PurWater™ system is already state-of-the-art, but innovation never stops. If there’s a way to reduce our fresh water usage from 18 gallons to 15, or to reclaim water even more efficiently, we want to know about it.
Fleet services represent another growth area. Local businesses with vehicle fleets can partner with us for regular, eco-friendly washes that keep their cars and trucks looking professional without the environmental guilt. It’s a win-win: they save time and money, and they can honestly tell their own customers that they’re making sustainable choices.
The goal isn’t just to run a successful car wash, it’s to demonstrate that sustainability and profitability aren’t mutually exclusive. They reinforce each other. Lower energy costs mean better pricing. Eco-conscious customers become loyal customers. Investing in quality equipment means fewer breakdowns and less waste. It all connects.
Conclusion
Solar energy at Rocket Express isn’t a marketing gimmick. It’s a fundamental part of who we are and how we operate. From the moment we decided to build a state-of-the-art conveyor car wash in Littleton, we committed to doing things differently, powering our facility with renewable energy, reclaiming 100% of our wash water, and using technology that prioritizes efficiency without sacrificing quality.
When you pull into our express tunnel, you’re getting more than just a clean car. You’re supporting a family-owned business that takes environmental responsibility seriously. You’re reducing your own carbon footprint by choosing solar over fossil fuels. And you’re getting a great wash at a fair price, because our sustainable practices actually keep costs down.
We believe this is how car washes should be run. Clean vehicles, clean energy, clean conscience. That’s the power of solar energy at Rocket Express, and we’re just getting started.
Stop by our Littleton location, grab one of our unlimited monthly plans, and experience the difference for yourself. Your car will thank you. So will the planet.