Kohl's takes solar initiatives to the East

MENOMONEE FALLS, Wis. Kohl’s Department Stores reported plans to convert more than 50 of its existing New Jersey, Connecticut and Maryland locations to solar power, representing nearly 80% of its locations in these three states. Currently Kohl’s operates 34 stores in New Jersey, 17 in Connecticut and 16 in Maryland.

According to Kohl's, with the addition of the East Coast solar installation, it will become the largest retail host of solar power, and its distributed solar program is now the largest in the world among retailers.

Kohl’s has converted more than 25 of its 88 California locations to solar power with plans to activate approximately 50 additional sites in the state. Solar installations are also under way at three Wisconsin locations, and Kohl’s said it hopes to add other states to its growing solar offering before year-end.

Initial construction for the East Coast solar conversions began in January. The total East Coast program is expected to offset 370 million pounds of carbon dioxide (CO₂) over the 20-year program and is equivalent to removing more than 36,200 cars from the road for one year.

“Our solar program is one of many ways Kohl’s is working to become a leading environmentally responsible retailer,” said Ken Bonning, evp of logistics for Kohl’s. “We launched our California solar initiative one year ago and are excited to add East Coast locations to the program, making Kohl’s distributed solar power program the largest in the world among retailers.”