Content about Solar power

New York -- Walmart plans to install solar panels on about half of its stores in Massachusetts, making it the largest user of solar power in the state.

Walmart is partnering with Greenskies Renewable Energy LLC, Middletown, Conn., on the project, which involves 27 stores.

West Chester, Ohio -- Ikea said Tuesday that it has officially plugged-in the solar energy system installed at its Cincinnati-area store in West Chester, Ohio. 

The 128,000-sq.-ft. PV array consists of a 1,026-kW system, built with 4,186 panels. Ikea West Chester’s program will produce approximately 1,334,300 kWh of clean electricity annually, the equivalent of reducing 1,014 tons of carbon dioxide, eliminating the emissions of 180 cars or powering 115 homes yearly.

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.


Sacramento, Calif. -- Walmart is taking its commitment to renewable energy to new levels in California. The chain announced plans to install solar panels on up to 60 additional stores in the Golden State. The initiative, done in partnership with SolarCity, expands the company’s solar portfolio to more than 75% of its locations in California.

Wayne, N.J. -- Toys “R” Us said Thursday it has completed a 5.38 megawatt rooftop solar power system at the company’s largest distribution center in Flanders, N.J.

The solar roof is estimated to offset 72% of the electrical needs for the Toys “R” Us facility, making it the largest operational rooftop solar installation in North America.

Cincinnati -- Macy's announced a series of initiatives to become a more sustainable company. The retailer will increase its use of energy-saving LEDs and solar power. It will also switch to eco -friendly hangers, and become the first major department store to pilot the use of self-serve electric vehicle (EV) charging stations

In 2011, Macy’s plans to install about 280,000 LEDs in about 200 stores nationwide. This is in addition to more than 130,000 LEDs installed in 95 Macy’s stores in 2010, cutting energy consumption by up to 73%.

Bentonville, Ark. -- Walmart announced the deployment of five rooftop solar arrays for Walmart and Sam’s Club locations in Puerto Rico. The solar program is made possible through a solar energy service agreement where Sun Edison, a subsidiary of MEMC Electronic Materials, will design, deploy, operate and maintain over three megawatts of solar technologies across the five locations with no upfront costs to Walmart.