IKEA Expands Solar Power to East Coast Stores

January 6, 2011

IKEA plans to install solar energy panels on two East Coast stores beginning this month, which will bet the largest store-top solar installations for IKEA in the U.S.

The two stores, slated for completion this spring, are located in Paramus, N.J. and Stoughton, Mass., and will bring the total number of U.S. IKEA store with solar energy systems to 13.

IKEA already has solar energy systems operational in three stores with installation underway at an additional eight locations. A geothermal system is incorporated into a new store being built in Centennial, Colo., which is expected to open in the fall.

The 375,000-square-foot store in Paramus, N.J will have 4,600 panels generating 1,354,000 kilowatts per year. The 347,000-square-foot Stoughton, Mass store will feature 2,800 panels generating 725,000 kilowatts per year. IKEA contracted with REC Solar for these two projects.

“We are excited about this investment by IKEA in using renewable energy on the East Coast to complement our recently announced plans in California,” said Mike Ward, IKEA U.S. president. “This approach is consistent with our commitment to sustainable building practices and reducing our carbon footprint. We always are open to environmental technologies and are thrilled our evaluation deemed these projects feasible for IKEA.”

In other IKEA news, the chain announced it will no longer sell incandescent bulbs in its U.S. stores, claiming to be the first retailer to do so.

The retail is also touting its move is ahead of federal regulation calling for the ban of incandescent bulbs between 2012 and 2014, which was passed under The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. The legislation calls for the ban of 100-watt incandescent bulbs effective Jan. 1, 2012, followed by 75-watt bulbs in 2013, and 40-watt and 60-watt bulbs in 2014.

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Keywords: lighting, renewable energy, solar power

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