Solar Tribune

IKEA adds 2.5MW solar capacity

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In the past week, Swedish retailer IKEA has made significant progress toward its goal of generating 89 percent of its power from PV panels.

On July 12, the furniture giant installed a 1.19 MW photovoltaic array at its store in Tampa, Florida, which will produce clean energy equivalent to reducing 1,362 tons of carbon dioxide, eliminating the emissions of 242 cars or powering 154 homes each year.

IKEA owns and operates all of its PV systems; this installation was completed by REC Solar. The Tampa store is the 22nd IKEA location with a PV installation, moving toward IKEA’s goal of 89 percent of electricity used at its stores coming from solar, with a total generating capacity of 38 MW.

“The installation of solar panels at IKEA Tampa is another way we can build upon our ongoing commitment to sustainability,” said Monica Varela, IKEA Tampa store manager.

“At IKEA, we believe in being a good business while doing good business and investing in renewable energy accomplishes both of those goals.”

Solar panels atop an IKEA store in Switzerland. Photo Credit: IKEA

On July 11, another IKEA PV installation went online, this time at a store in Woodbridge, Virginia. The 63,000 square ft array has a capacity of 504 kW, and is the large such system in the state.

IKEA Woodbridge’s program will produce approximately 636,199 kWh of clean electricity annually, the equivalent of reducing 439 tons of carbon dioxide, eliminating the emissions of 86 cars or powering 55 homes yearly. Gehrlicher Solar America Corp. developed, designed and installed this PV system.

“We at IKEA believe in the never-ending job of striving to improve the sustainability of our day-to-day business,” said Jackie DeChamps, IKEA Woodbridge store manager. “The IKEA coworkers in Woodbridge are excited to help contribute to this goal with our newly operational solar energy system.”

And on July 10, IKEA switched on Michigan’s biggest PV array – at just under 1000 kW – at its store in Canton. This installation was developed and completed by SoCore Energy.

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