June 2, 2011
Macy's Inc.’s online fulfillment center in Goodyear, Ariz. installed a 3.5-megawatt solar power system supplied by SunPower Corp., a San Jose, Calif.-based company.
The system is expected to offset more than 3,500 tons of carbon dioxide emissions per year, equivalent to removing more than 600 cars from Arizona's highways each year, based on estimates provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, according to a Macy’s statement.
Arizona Public Service, Macy's local energy provider at Goodyear, provided financial rebates through the APS Renewable Energy Incentive Program. The program offers rebates to customers who add renewable energy systems to their homes or business. The rebates are the mechanism through which APS is purchasing the renewable energy credits associated with the system.
"At Macy's, Inc., we believe that contributing to a more sustainable environment is good business practice and the right thing to do for future generations,” said Peter Longo, president of Macy's Logistics and Operations. “Our comprehensive approach involves everyone around us including our customers, associates and vendors. We are pleased to begin achieving significant operational savings today in Goodyear, Ariz., while supporting Macy's overall environmental goals."
Goodyear Mayor Georgia Lord said, "The city of Goodyear commends Macy's and APS for supporting renewable energy, and bringing this very significant SunPower solar power system to our community." "As a source of emission-free electricity and economic development, solar power makes sense in Goodyear."
SunPower designed and installed the system and is providing on-going operations and maintenance services. The system features the SunPower T5 Solar Roof Tile, the solar industry's first non-penetrating rooftop product that combines a high-efficiency solar panel, frame and mounting system into a single pre-engineered unit. Tilted at a five-degree angle, the T5 Roof Tile system approximately doubles the energy generated per square meter compared to other systems that are mounted flat onto commercial rooftops.
"We applaud Macy's for its leadership in environmental sustainability and corporate responsibility," said Jim Pape, president of SunPower's residential and commercial business group. "As a SunPower customer since 2007, Macy's understands the guaranteed performance delivered by solar technology, and the bottom line benefits it reliably generates."
Macy's Inc. operates about 850 department stores in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Guam and Puerto Rico under the names of Macy's and Bloomingdale's, as well as the macys.com and bloomingdales.com websites. The company also operates four Bloomingdale's Outlet stores.
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