Home furnishings giant’s distribution center going solar

Ikea continues to expand its use of renewable energy.



The retailer plans to install the largest rooftop solar array in the state on Illinois on its distribution center in Joliet.



Installation of the panels on the roof of the 1.25 million-sq.-ft. center, which is currently under construction, will begin in spring 2017, with completion expected in fall 2017. Combined with arrays atop Ikea’s Chicago-area stores in Bolingbrook and Schaumburg, the new project will make the retailer the owner of three of the state’s largest solar rooftop installations. (Ikea’s renewable energy portfolio Illinois also includes a 49-turbine wind farm in Hoopeston.)



The distribution center’s 470,545-sq.-ft. solar array will consist of a 2.91 MW system, built with 8,966 panels, and will produce approximately 3,411,600 kWh of electricity annually for the facility, the equivalent of reducing 2,398 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) – equal to the emissions of 506 cars or providing electricity for 354 homes yearly.



Ikea elected SoCore Energy, a wholly owned, indirect subsidiary of Edison International, to develop, design and install the facility’s solar power system. Gray Construction is managing the construction of the Joliet distribution center, which will receive and inventory goods sold at Ikea stores worldwide.



“We are excited to further our sustainability commitment with solar panels on our future Midwest distribution center,” said Lars Peterson, Ikea U.S. president. “Installing Illinois’ largest rooftop array advances our vision of creating a better everyday life for the many.”