Safeway set to solar power stores

PLEASANTON, Calif. Safeway today announced a new environmental project to power 23 California stores with renewable solar energy. The company installed solar panels atop a newly renovated Safeway Lifestyle store in Dublin, Calif. and plans to extend the program to nearly two dozen stores as part of a broader renewable energy initiative.

Solar equipment at the Dublin Safeway store and other planned locations will produce approximately 7,500 megawatt hours of electricity per year, enough to provide 20% of the stores' average power usage and up to 48% of power usage during peak hours. The entire Dublin Safeway facility utilizes renewable energy. The store's on-site retail fuel station already is powered by wind energy.

"Safeway is taking its green power initiative to the next level as we identify additional California store locations for its solar stores program," said Joe Pettus, Safeway senior vp of fuel & energy. "The investment in renewable energy, both solar and wind, makes sense for both the environment and our company."

Safeway also has a state-of-the-art refrigeration system technology that is reducing electricity demand at new stores, and has installed no-heat freezer case doors that reduce electric heating. Safeway's Lifestyle stores use LED (Light Emitting Diodes) lights for its exterior lights and signage, requiring 90% less energy to operate than traditional neon lights and signs.