Ikea to install solar panels on five locations in Midwest

Conshohocken, Pa. -- Ikea said Thursday it plans to install solar energy panels on five more of its U.S. locations – all of them in the Midwest. Installation is slated for summer 2012 completion and will expand Ikea’s solar presence to nearly 85% of its U.S. locations.



Collectively, the five stores will total 4.8 megawatts of solar generating capacity, approximately 20,400 panels, and an annual output of 5.62 million kilowatt hours of electricity – the equivalent to reducing 4,273 tons of carbon dioxide – equal to eliminating the emissions of 760 cars or providing electricity for 484 homes yearly.



Ikea will own and operate each of its solar PV energy systems atop its buildings – as opposed to a solar lease or power purchase agreement – now including its two Chicago-area stores as well as stores in Bloomington, Minn., Canton, Mich., and Pittsburgh.



Ikea already has 12 U.S. solar energy systems operational with 20 more underway. Installing solar panels atop these five locations will increase the company’s U.S. solar presence to nearly 85% and will result in a total generating capacity of 31.6 MW in the United States.