Whole Foods extends commitment to renewable power, energy efficiency

Austin, Texas Whole Foods Market Tuesday announced a comprehensive energy commitment that more than triples the number of stores with solar panels, extending its commitment to offset 100% of its use of non-renewable electricity with wind energy, and investing in energy-reduction opportunities while retrofitting existing stores with energy-efficient lighting, equipment and mechanical components.

"Whole Foods Market is thrilled to set the environmental bar even higher by pioneering the development and deployment of alternative energy sources such as solar and wind power," said Lee Matecko, Whole Foods Market, global VP construction and store development. "We are also reducing energy consumption in new and existing stores with some exciting innovative technologies that are making a real difference."

Whole Foods Market recently contracted to add solar to more than 20 locations, including existing installations, bringing solar to the rooftops of more than 30 of the company's stores nationwide. Including potential future rollout phases, Whole Foods Market hopes to have close to 70 total locations with rooftop solar panels, close to one-fourth of the company's total number of stores.