Retailer installing Tennessee’s largest solar array

Ikea is going big in Memphis.



The home furnishings giant plans to install the largest rooftop solar array in the state of Tennessee at its new store in Memphis.



The 271,000-sq.-ft. Memphis Ikea is scheduled to open in late fall 2016, and panel installation for the solar energy system will begin this summer.



The store’s 250,675-sq.-ft. solar array will consist of a 1.46 MW system, built with 4,424 panels, and will produce approximately 2,000,000 kWh of electricity annually for the store, the equivalent of reducing 1,406 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2).



Ikea selected Hannah Solar, an Atlanta-based full service, certified solar integrator, for the development, design and installation of the customized solar power system.



Linkous Construction is managing the site work and building of the store.



The installation will represent the 44th solar project for IKEA in the United States, contributing to the IKEA solar presence atop nearly 90% of its U.S. locations, with a total generation goal of more than 40 MW.



Ikea owns and operates each of its solar PV energy systems atop its buildings – as opposed to a solar lease or PPA (power purchase agreement) – and globally allocated $2.5 billion to invest in renewable energy through 2020, reinforcing its confidence and investment in solar photovoltaic technology.