Ikea ups solar presence to more than 50% of U.S. stores

Conshohocken, Pa. -- Ikea announced on Wednesday plans to install solar energy panels at three additional U.S. locations, bringing the number of Ikea U.S. stores with a solar program to 23 – more than half of the home-furnishing retailer’s domestic presence.



The newest stores to come on line with solar are in Draper, Utah; New Haven, Conn.; and Portland, Ore. Pending governmental permits, rooftop installation of the nearly 10,000 total panels will begin next year, with completion slated for spring 2012, and will generate 3,156 MWh of electricity 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.



The Draper store’s program will encompass 4,311 panels generating 1,487,080 kWh/year; New Haven will feature 3,920 panels generating 1,099,800 kWh/year, and Portland’s program will encompass 2,072 panels generating 568,900 kWh/year.



“This initiative, part of the company’s never-ending list of sustainable activities, will lower the carbon intensity of the electric grid and the U.S. carbon footprint of Ikea,” said Mike Ward, Ikea U.S. president.



For the Draper and Portland projects, Ikea contracted with REC Solar; Gehrlicher Solar USA, part of Gehrlicher AG, was awarded the contract for Ikea New Haven.