Kohl's activates 100th solar location

Monomonee Falls, Wis. Kohl’s Department Stores said Thursday that it activated the solar panels at its 100th solar location in Mays Landing, N.J. earlier this month. Kohl’s also announced plans to expand its solar program into Pennsylvania.

The company currently has solar panels at select stores and distribution centers in California, Wisconsin, Connecticut, New Jersey, Maryland, Oregon and Colorado.

Solar is an integral component of the company’s energy management efforts and commitment to be carbon neutral by the end of 2010. The company estimates that energy management programs have helped prevent nearly $50 million in electricity costs. Over the last four years, accounting for rate variations, proactive energy management initiatives have translated into an improvement in energy efficiency of more than 20%, primarily in stores.

“We are pleased to have reached this milestone within three years of activating our first solar powered location in 2007,” said Ken Bonning, Kohl's executive VP of store planning and logistics. “Our 100 solar locations, commitment to build 73 Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)-certified locations and 500 ENERGY STAR stores demonstrate our ongoing commitment to sustainability with meaningful results. We will continue to strive toward advancing environmental solutions that will lead to a cleaner, healthier environment for our communities and ensure we are doing business in a way that makes sense for our associates and customers."

Kohl’s said that construction of solar arrays on the rooftops of seven Pennsylvania stores began in August and is expected to be completed by March 2011. The eight locations combined are expected to generate more than 2.3 megawatts of power annually.