Ikea goes live with Kansas’ largest rooftop solar array

Merriam, Kansas -- Ikea announced it had officially plugged-in Kansas’ largest rooftop solar array, atop its recently opened store in Merriam. The 92,000-sq.-ft. solar array consists of a 730.17-kW DC system, comprised of 2,394 panels, and will produce approximately 986,800 kWh of electricity annually for the store, the equivalent of reducing 680 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2).



For the development, design and installation of the Kansas City-area store’s customized solar power system, Ikea contracted with Chicago-based SoCore Energy a wholly owned subsidiary of Edison International.



This installation will represent the 41st solar project for Ikea in the U.S, contributing to the retailer’s solar presence atop nearly 90% of its U.S. locations, and a total generation goal of 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 has allocated $1.8 billion to invest in renewable energy through 2015. This investment reinforces the long-term commitment the company has to sustainability and confidence in photovoltaic (PV) technology. Consistent with the company’s goal of being energy independent by 2020, Ikea has installed more than 700,000 solar panels on buildings across the world and owns approximately 157 wind turbines in Europe and Canada, with 104 others being built in the U.S.



The 359,000 –sq.-ft. Ikea Merriam is the second U.S. store for the retailer with a geothermal component to its heating and cooling system. Incorporating geothermal and solar significantly reduces the energy Ikea will draw from the power grid.