The company said that collectively the nine stores and one distribution center will total 10.7 megawatts (MW) of solar energy generating capacity. They will include 45,360 panels, and a will produce 15,248,334 kilowatt hours (kWh) per year.
The company opted for owning and operating its solar PV energy systems, which will be installed atop its three Texas stores (Frisco, Houston and Round Rock), three Florida stores (Orlando, Sunrise and Tampa), Atlanta, Charlotte (GA), Woodbridge (VA) and the IKEA Distribution Center in Savannah, GA.
IKEA already has 12 U.S. solar energy systems operational with 11 more underway. With 10 more solar powered sites, the company’s solar presence will increase to 75% of its U.S. locations and a total solar generating capacity of approximately 26.8 MW.
“This investment extends our solar presence to the Southern U.S., further reducing our carbon footprint and the intensity of the electrical grid,†said Mike Ward, IKEA U.S. president.
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One thing that I find is that if commercial buildings are adapting a technology for their use, the product will eventually become more main stream. For my neighbors, having a few solar garden lights is alright, but not for powering their homes. When I began installing more solar devices, they thought it strange; however, I feel this attitude will change once they see the local stores using solar.