Stoughton, Mass. — IKEA has plugged in the solar energy system installed at its store in Stoughton, Mass., marking the 38th completed solar project for IKEA in the U.S.
Stoughton, Mass. — IKEA has officially plugged in the solar energy system installed at its store in Stoughton, Mass. The 118,000-square-foot PV array consists of a 590.8-kW (DC) system, built with 4,220 laminated panels. IKEA Stoughton’s program will produce approximately 695,000 kWh of clean electricity annually.
This installation represents the 38th completed solar project for IKEA in the U.S., with one more location underway, making the eventual IKEA solar presence nearly 90% of its U.S. locations, with a total generation of 38 MW. IKEA owns and operates each of its solar PV energy systems atop its buildings — as opposed to a solar lease or PPA (power purchase agreement) — and globally has allocated $1.8 billion to invest in renewable energy through 2015. This investment reinforces the long term commitment of IKEA to sustainability and confidence in photovoltaic (PV) technology. Consistent with the company’s goal of being energy independent by 2020, IKEA has installed more than 250,000 solar panels on buildings across the world and owns/operates approximately 110 wind turbines in Europe.
For the development, design and installation of the Stoughton store’s customized solar power system, IKEA contracted with REC Solar, Inc., a national leader in solar electric system design and installation with more than 9,000 systems built across the U.S.
“We at IKEA believe in the never-ending job of improving the sustainability of our day-to-day business,” says Frank Briel, store manager. “The Stoughton coworkers are excited to help contribute to this goal with our newly operational solar energy system.”
IKEA’s additional U.S. sustainable efforts include: recycling waste material; incorporating key measures into buildings with energy-efficient HVAC and lighting systems, recycled construction materials, warehouse skylights, and water-conserving restrooms; and operationally, eliminating plastic bags from the check-out process, phasing-out the sale of incandescent light bulbs, facilitating recycling compact fluorescent bulbs, and by 2016 selling and using only LED bulbs. IKEA also installed electric vehicle charging stations at nine stores in the western U.S.
SOURCE: IKEA