Costco increases solar power at SoCal stores

LOS ANGELES Costco is extending its relation with solar energy company PermaCity. The company has been contracted to design and build solar power systems for a number of Costco stores in Southern California.

PermaCity first worked with Costco on s 580kW prototype system in Lancaster, Calif. PermaCity is working with Schott Solar (the manufacturer of the solar panels) and Southern California Edison to install four more systems at Costco stores in the area.

According to PermaCity the solar system was designed specifically for Costco's "big box" warehouse design, with a patent-pending adhesion racking system, which increases system performance while also shading the roof and allowing air to circulate, cooling the panels and increasing efficiency, reducing air conditioning load.