Wal-Mart To Install Solar Power Systems At 22 Stores

May 7, 2007

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Wal-Mart is purchasing as much as 20 million kWh of solar power, from BP Solar, SunEdison LLC, and PowerLight, a subsidiary of SunPower Corporation, for 22 combined Wal-Mart stores, Sam’s Clubs and a distribution center in Hawaii and California.

The announcement is the result of a request for proposal that the company issued last year.

Each solar power system installed can provide up to 30 percent of a store’s power. By Wal-Mart’s estimates, installing the solar power systems will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 6,500-10,000 metric tons per year. “Pilot project stores are expected to achieve savings over their current utility rates immediately-as soon as the first day of operation,” said David Ozment, director of energy for Wal-Mart.

Wal-Mart will use the power generated by the solar panels onsite at each store and will also keep the renewable energy credits (RECs) the units produce.

There have been many announcements recently concerning solar installations at retail companies:

Kohl’s is converting more than 75 percent of its department stores in California to solar power beginning in May.
Target has installed solar panels on the roofs of four of its California stores and plans to install similar systems at 14 more locations later this year.
BJ’s Wholesale Club has installed solar power systems on the rooftops of two Connecticut BJ’s Wholesale Clubs.
Costco has installed its second solar-powered energy system at its Lake Elsinore, California warehouse.
Staples recently unveiled the largest solar power installation in New England at its 300,000-square-foot retail distribution center in Killingly, Connecticut.
Tesco, the fourth-largest retail chain in the world, is installing a $13 million solar roof on its five-building, 820,400-square-foot distribution center under construction in Riverside, California.
Wal-Mart is already using solar power in its experimental stores.

SunEdison will provide the four solar power systems in Hawaii and four in California, while PowerLight and BP Solar will each supply seven systems in California.

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Reader Comments

It is great to see so many distribution centers turning to solar power and alternative energies. However, it appears company’s can not justify the return on investment without tax credits. At today’s energy prices what is the projected break even timeline for a solar project funded without tax credits or grants?

Nuts & Bolts | June 14th, 2007

I was wondering how i can get information on installing these systems for all the different store chains. My company and i are interested in getting involved with the installation of these systems. Please email me back with some contact info on who we can talk to about getting set-up to do this. Thanks a lot for your time and i look forward to hearing from you. This is for the energy conservation with solar power energy.

Jake

Jake Robl | September 1st, 2009

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