The largest drug store chain in the U.S., Walgreens, plans to build what it says will be the first net zero energy retail store in the country, located in Evanston, Illinois.
That means the store will produce at least the energy required to fulfill its own electricity needs, if not more.
800 solar PV panels will be key to the plan, as well as wind turbines, geothermal technology, energy-efficient building materials, LED lighting and ultra-high-efficiency refrigeration.
“We are committed to reducing our carbon footprint and leading the retail industry in use of green technology,” said Thomas Connolly, Walgreens vice president of facilities development.
Credit: Walgreens
“We are investing in developing a net-zero store so we can learn the best way to bring these features to our other stores. Because we operate 8,000 stores, we believe our pursuit of green technology can have a significant positive impact on the nation’s environment.”
In addition to using these technologies to generate electricity, Walgreens plans to cut energy use by 40 percent. Engineers estimate that the store will use 200,000 kWh of electricity per year, while generating over 250,000 kWh of energy.
Walgreens currently has solar panels on 150 stores and has committed to reduce energy use by 20 percent across all its stores by 2020.
