Conshohocken, PA — IKEA plans to install solar energy panels on two more of its United States locations — both of them distribution centers in the Eastern U.S.
Conshohocken, PA — IKEA plans to install solar energy panels on two more of its United States locations — both of them distribution centers in the Eastern U.S. Installation will occur this summer on IKEA distribution centers in Perryville, Md., and Westampton, N.J. Both projects will rank among the largest commercial rooftop solar installations in the U.S., and their implementation will extend the IKEA solar presence to nearly 89% of its U.S. locations.
Collectively, the two distribution centers will total 4.92 Megawatts (MW) of solar generating capacity, more than 34,000 panels, and an annual output of 5,933,200 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity — the equivalent to reducing 4,509 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2). This investment by IKEA reinforces the company’s long term commitment to sustainability and confidence in photovoltaic (PV) technology. IKEA will own and operate each of its solar PV energy systems atop its buildings — as opposed to a solar lease or PPA (power purchase agreement) — now including these two distribution centers.
IKEA already has 17 U.S. solar energy systems operational with 20 more underway. Installing panels atop these two additional locations will increase the company’s U.S. solar presence to nearly 89% and will result in a total generating capacity of 38 MW in the U.S.
“We are excited at the opportunity to increase our U.S. solar presence further with solar energy systems atop these two East Coast distribution centers,” says Mike Ward, IKEA U.S. president. “With only 44 locations nationwide, we try to contribute whenever and wherever possible to creating a better everyday life for the many. These plans for installing solar panels on the roofs of two additional distribution centers demonstrate that our sustainable commitment extends beyond just stores, into all facets of the retail operations.”
For both projects, IKEA contracted with Inovateus Solar LLC, an industry-leading solar power distributor and integrator specializing in large-scale solar installations for businesses, universities, utilities and government entities. Headquartered in South Bend, Ind., Inovateus Solar has completed some of the largest solar installations across the United States.
IKEA has more than 330 stores in 40 countries, including 38 in the U.S. For more information, visit IKEA-USA.com.