Walmart unveils 100th solar installation in California

San Diego -- Walmart has completed its 100th solar installation in California, at a store on College Avenue in San Diego. After launching its solar pilot program in May 2007, Walmart strengthened its commitment to renewable energy in the state of California last year when it announced plans to expand its solar portfolio to more than 75% of its stores in California, approximately 130 stores, by the end of 2013. There are now 100 Walmart stores and Sam's Clubs in California using traditional and thin film solar installations.

By working with SolarCity, the company's focus on solar power has generated more than 3,000 contract construction jobs in California. Based in San Mateo, Calif., SolarCity is responsible for the installation, management and maintenance of 70 of the 100 new solar power systems.

The total combined solar efforts in California are expected to:

• Provide 10 to 30% of each facility's total electricity needs;


• Generate up to 70 million kilowatt hours of clean, renewable energy per year, which is the equivalent of powering more than 5,400 homes; and


• Avoid producing more than 21,700 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions per year, which is the equivalent of taking approximately 4,100 cars off the road.

"At Walmart, we believe sustainability is about living better," said Kimberly Sentovich, senior VP of the Pacific Division for Walmart. "By using one of California's greatest resources – sunshine – and employing renewable technology with our California-based partners, we will continue developing solutions that are both good for the environment and good for business."