New IKEA to Feature Geothermal and Solar Energy

January 27, 2011

In addition to the geothermal program constructed in September, IKEA’s new store under construction near Denver will feature a 60,000-square-foot solar energy system on the roof.

ikea store The Centennial, Colo., store will begin installing solar panels next month, with completion expected by the fall. The system will consist of a 498-kW system, built with 2,212 panels, which will produce approximately 740,000 kWh of electricity annually for the store.

IKEA U.S. already has solar energy systems in stores in Brooklyn, N.Y., Pittsburgh and Tempe, Ariz., and is installing systems at eight existing locations in California and two stores on the East Coast.

The Centennial, Colo., location will be the first U.S. IKEA to integrate a geothermal component as part of its heating/cooling system.

“Similar to geothermal, solar energy will reduce greatly the new store’s energy costs and carbon footprint as well as contribute to our vision of creating a better everyday life for the many,” said Doug Greenholz, IKEA U.S. real estate manager.

Globally, IKEA said it evaluates all locations regularly for energy conservation opportunities, integrates innovative materials into product design, works with Global Forest Watch to maintain sustainable resources, and flat-packs goods for efficient distribution.

Specific U.S. sustainable efforts include: recycling waste material (paper, wood, plastic, etc.); incorporating environmental measures into the construction of buildings in terms of energy-efficient HVAC and lighting systems, recycled construction materials, skylights in warehouse areas, and water conserving restrooms; and operationally, phasing out the sale of incandescent light bulbs and facilitating recycling of customers’ compact fluorescent bulbs.

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Keywords: geothermal energy, solar energy

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