Walgreens expanding solar energy initiative to 22 stores in Colorado

Aurora, Col. -- Walgreens has expanded its renewable energy initiative to Colorado. Clean-energy provider SolarCity announced it will implement solar systems at 22 Walgreens stores across 14 different cities in Colorado in the coming months, with the first installation completed in Aurora.



“A strong commitment to the local community is one of our company’s core values,” said Menno Enters, director of energy and sustainability at Walgreens. “SolarCity is helping us contribute to the health of the local communities we operate in by providing us with clean energy as well as contributing to the local economy in Colorado.”



Walgreens began implementing solar in 2007 at many of its retail stores across the country. The new rollout in Colorado brings the chain closer to reaching the U.S. Department of Energy’s Better Buildings Challenge. As a participant in the initiative, the company has committed to reducing its energy use by 20% by the year 2020 across 125 million sq. ft. of its retail floor space.



Walgreens ranked as the second leading retailer in the United States in utilization of renewable energy at its stores, according to Solar Energy Industries Association. The new solar systems cumulatively will reduce more than 47.5 million pounds of carbon dioxide emissions over the next 20 years, which is comparable to planting 25,711 trees.