Largest solar array in Virginia now plugged-in atop Ikea

Woodbridge, Va. -- Ikea officially plugged-in the solar energy system installed atop its store in Woodbridge, Va. The state’s largest such photovoltaic array, the 63,000-sq.-ft. PV installation consists of a 504-kW system, built with 2,100 panels.



The system will produce approximately 636,199 kWh of clean electricity annually, the equivalent of reducing 439 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2), eliminating the emissions of 86 cars or powering 55 homes yearly.



Ikea contracted with Gehrlicher Solar America Corp., part of Gehrlicher AG, tor the development, design and installation of the Woodbridge store’s customized solar power system. The home-furnishings retailer owns and operates each of its solar PV energy systems atop its buildings – as opposed to a solar lease or PPA (power purchase agreement). The Woodbridge installation represents the 21st completed solar energy project for Ikea in the United States, with 18 more locations underway, making the chain’s eventual U.S. solar presence nearly 89% with a total generation of 38 MW.