Content about Photovoltaic module

Jacksonville, Fla. -- Regency Centers has announced the installation of the company’s first solar energy system at the Shops at Saugus in Saugus, Mass. The 18,740-sq.-ft. photovoltaic array, built with 1,064 rooftop panels, will generate an estimated 250 KW of renewable energy annually. The zero-emission power source will supply nearly 65% of the power needed by the center’s grocer Trader Joe’s.

Lancaster, Pa. -- One of the supermarket chains operated by Netherlands-based Royal Ahold has installed rooftop solar panels at two of its stores.

Carlisle, Pa.-based Giant Food Stores — also known as Giant-Carlisle to distinguish it from Landover, Md.-based Giant Food, also owned by Ahold — said it had installed solar photovoltaic systems at stores in Lancaster and Pottstown, Pa.

When it comes to managing energy use, more and more retailers are looking to the sun — and are generating electricity on-site through solar roof panel installations designed to increase efficiencies and utilize a proven green power option. Chain Store Age talked with Michael Walker, director, commercial product management and marketing for Lennox Industries, about the growing retail movement toward solar power and how Lennox is leveraging the interest.


From Kohl’s to Whole Foods Market, retailers nationwide are utilizing solar power as a way to rein in energy costs. Still, solar energy remains victim of many misconceptions, according to Ben Collingwood, director of national accounts for REC Solar, a San Luis Obispo, Calif.-based solar power provider. Here are some of the most common:


Conshohocken, Pa. -- Ikea plans to install solar energy panels on two East Coast stores: Paramus, N.J., and Stoughton, Mass. Pending governmental permits, the rooftop installation will begin in the new year, with completion expected in spring 2011. The Paramus installation will have 4,600 panels generating 1,354,000 kWh/year, while the Stoughton site will have 2,800 panels generating 725,000 kWh/year.

Burger King Corp. has gone green in Germany, with the opening of an energy-efficient restaurant in Waghausel. The eco-friendly design, developed in cooperation with Wirsol Solar AG (Baden-Wurttemberg), uses state-of-the-art technologies and renewable energy to power one-third of the restaurant's energy consumption, reducing energy costs by 45% and the emission of CO2 by more than 120 metric tons annually.