Ikea powers up solar in Burbank, Calif.

Burbank, Calif. -- Ikea on Wednesday went live with the solar energy system installed at its store in Burbank, Calif. The 35,000-sq.-ft. array consists of a 290-kW system, built with approximately 1,260 panels.



The installation will produce approximately 421,300 kWh of electricity annually, the equivalent of reducing at least 334 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2). The initiative will contribute to the local utility’s renewable portfolio goals and will lower the carbon intensity of the electrical grid.



Ikea contracted with Gloria Solar for the development, design and installation of this customized solar power system. This project is the third largest installation in the service area of Burbank Water & Power (BWP).



The Burbank installation is the fourth solar energy project for Ikea in the United States, with system in place Systems are operational in Brooklyn, N.Y., Pittsburgh, Penn., and Tempe, Ariz. Plans are underway for installing programs at seven other Ikea locations in California, and two more on the East Coast. Also, both a solar energy and geothermal system were incorporated into a Denver-area store opening this year in Centennial, Colo.