Kohl’s expands solar program to Colorado

Menomonee Falls, Wis. Kohl’s Department Stores said it will convert 10 of its 23 stores in Colorado to solar power by the end of this year. Colorado will be the seventh state to have Kohl’s locations with solar panels. Kohl’s also has solar locations in California; Connecticut; Maryland; New Jersey; Oregon; and Wisconsin.

“We are very pleased to expand our solar program into Colorado and enhance our commitment to the use and support of clean, renewable energy sources,” said Ken Bonning, Kohl’s executive VP store planning and logistics. “Solar is an integral component of our environmental efforts and contributes toward our goal of being carbon neutral by the end of this year. We will continue to explore new opportunities to utilize solar power at our facilities nationwide.”

Solar installations are currently complete or underway at four initial Kohl’s stores throughout Colorado -- Southwest Denver, Thornton, Aurora East and Arapahoe Crossing. Six additional locations are in the planning phase and will begin construction in the coming months. Each store will have more than 530 solar panels that together generate 112 kW -- approximately 15% of the store’s energy. Once solar panels at all 10 initial Colorado stores are active, they are expected to collectively generate approximately 1.6 million kWh annually -- the equivalent of powering 153 homes for a year.

Kohl’s began its solar program in California in 2007 with the activation of solar panels at its Laguna Niguel store. The company currently has 86 solar locations nationwide with the near-term goal of reaching 100 locations in the coming months.