Ikea Powers Up Solar Panels at Maryland Store

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February 16, 2012

Home furnishings retailer Ikea officially plugged-in the solar energy system installed at its store in College Park, Md..

The 148,200-square-foot PV array consists of a 1,196-kW system, built with 4,984 solar panels. The store will produce approximately 1,571,800 kWh of clean electricity annually, the equivalent of reducing 1,195 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2), eliminating the emissions of 213 cars or powering 135 homes yearly, the company reports.

Ikea owns and operates each of its photovoltaic energy systems atop its buildings – as opposed to a solar lease or PPA (power purchase agreement) – and this College Park. The installation represents the 15th completed solar energy project for the retailer in the United States, with 22 more locations underway.

For the development, design and installation of the College Park store’s customized solar power system, Ikea contracted with REC Solar, one of the largest U.S. solar electric installers with more than 8,000 systems built nationwide.

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

We appreciate the support of the City of College Park, PEPCO and REC Solar, our partners in this project.”

Read These Related Articles:

• Ikea Plugs in Minnesota's Largest Solar Array
• Ikea Turns on Solar Power at Five More Stores
• Big Box Retailers Top U.S. Commercial Solar Users List
• Ikea Plugs in Solar Power at Savannah Distribution Center
• Ahold Takes Steps to Reduce Carbon Footprint

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