Ikea to more-than-double solar array atop Denver-area store

Conshohocken, Pa. -- Ikea said Tuesday it plans to increase the solar array atop its two-year-old Centennial, Colo. store, with panel installation slated to begin in July.



Completion of what is already Colorado’s largest single-use rooftop array on a commercial building is slated for this fall, and will elevate the project to the state’s largest rooftop array of any use.



The 83,700-sq.-ft. solar addition will consist of a 623-kW system, built with 2,492 panels, and will produce 961,000 kWh of electricity annually for the store. Including the existing system, Ikea Centennial’s total 1,121-kW solar installation of 4,704 panels soon will generate 1,701,000 kWh of clean electricity yearly, the equivalent of reducing 1,200 tons of carbon dioxide, eliminating the emissions of 250 cars or powering 180 homes.



Ikea contracted with REC Solar for the development, design and installation of the system.



“We are thrilled at the opportunity to double the amount of solar energy generated and used by this store,” said John Ellis, Ikea Centennial store manager. “This is another example of the Ikea commitment to create a more sustainable life for communities where we operate.”



In May, Ikea achieved its goal of completing solar installations atop nearly 90% of its U.S. buildings (39 out of 44 locations), with a generation goal of 38 MW. Ikea owns and operates each of its solar PV energy systems and globally has allocated $1.8 billion to invest in renewable energy through 2015.