The Executive’s Daily Green Briefing

May 15, 2008

REI Tries Solar Power On For Size

rei.jpgRetailer REI plans to retrofit more than 10 percent of its stores with solar power in 2008. The installations will determine how it approaches solar installations in the future.

The co-op has selected 11 stores to be retrofitted with solar electric systems in 2008. The seven locations in California include Arcadia, Folsom, Sacramento, San Carlos, San Diego, San Francisco and Santa Rosa. Additional stores include three in Oregon - Clackamas, Hillsboro and Tualatin - and the co-op’s second prototype store in Round Rock, Texas.

REI recently established a 2009 goal to reduce emissions by one-third from its 2006 baseline in order to help reach its 2020 goal of becoming climate neutral.

Solar panels can generate up to 35 percent of a store’s energy needs, according to the company. REI’s solar investment will generate an estimated 1.1 million kilowatt hours of electricity.

Consulting with Blue Oak Energy, a solar electric engineering firm, the store locations were selected because of available state incentives and utility rebates, current cost of electricity, and size and current condition of the store’s roof. The solar panels for the REI stores in California will be installed by Offset Electric, while the Oregon locations will be retrofitted by Christenson Electric.

ADVERTISERS

Join the Discussion

Comments

They should have put the Albuquerque store on the top of their list. Maybe it just made too much sense to start with a store that would see about 350 days a year of sunshine!

Consumers Prefer ‘100% Natural’ Label Over ‘Organic’

Consumers Prefer ‘100% Natural’ Label Over ‘Organic’

In a study of consumer opinions of marketing claims, survey respondents identified most ...

click to view full size chart »

WWF Ranks US 7th Among G8 on Climate Scorecard
Growth of Global Carbon Emissions Cut in Half
Electricity, Heat, Transportation Cause 60% of Emissions

Today's News

Carbon Management IS Information Management

Carbon Management IS Information Management

For most organizations today, sophisticated carbon management is simply not possible. At best, ... continue »

The Hope Behind The Holes In The Climate Bill
Energy Costs Rising, Regulations Imminent - Are You Ready?
Energy - It Just Doesn’t Add Up
FTC on Greenwashing: Is That All There Is?
Shaklee Discusses its Green Strategies

Shaklee Discusses its Green Strategies

Shaklee Corp. was recognized recently ...

click to view video »

Sprint Tackles Data Center Improvements
Building a Bridge from Recycled Plastics
The Netherlands Ponders Floating City Architecture
Popular Topics

Marketing

Consumers Prefer ‘100% Natural’ Label Over ‘Organic’

Green Seal Adds First U.S. Standard for Personal Care Products

Show Sustainability Sales Success to Climb Corporate Ranks

Emissions

Cisco Wants to Transform Energy Demand and Use with Smart Buildings

Sony Europe Goes to 100% Renewable Energy

EPA Approves California Emissions Waiver

Hi-Tech

Sony Ericsson Joins Nokia, Samsung as ‘Greener’ Electronics Makers

Online Calculator Gauges IT Data Center Costs and Carbon Footprint

Microsoft Reduces Windows 7 Packaging

Efficiency

Black & Veatch HQ to Showcase Sustainability

Raytheon Meets Green Goals with IT Help

Yahoo! Dropping Carbon Offsets for Greener Data Centers

Manufacturing

Electronics Firms Face Off Against Mandated Recycling Programs

Leading Mobile Phone Makers Agree to Develop Universal Charger

Panasonic Cuts Manufacturing Emissions With Simulation Tech

Carbon Offsets/RECs

Sustainable Agriculture Requires Farm Modernization, Free Markets, Tech Adoption

Audi Promotes Clean Diesel via Facebook, Carbon Offsets

CBO: Cap-And-Trade to Cost $175 Per Household

CSR Reports

SAB Miller Targets 25% Reduction in Water Used in Brewing

Molson Coors Cuts CO2 Emissions by 12%

Successful Design in CSR Reporting, Part 2

Major Players

Fuel Cell Systems to Power 30% of Coca-Cola NY Facility

Australia Joins Carbon Reduction Label Scheme

CSX to Cut CO2 Emissions by 8%

See All Topics »