Deerfield, IL — Walgreens has installed its 100th rooftop solar power system in Mason, Ohio. The chain is on track to have more solar installations than any other U.S. retailer by year end.
Deerfield, IL — Walgreens marks its continued commitment to sustainability with its 100th rooftop solar power system installation in Mason, Ohio.
Since its first solar installation in 2007, Walgreens has expanded its plans to include stores and distribution centers in Connecticut, New Jersey, California, Oregon and Ohio, for a total of more than 130 installations nationwide by the end of the year, more than any other U.S. retailer. Typically, rooftop solar systems help offset energy usage by an estimated 15% to 20%.
“This is an important milestone for us as we continue to explore ways to expand our use of environmentally-friendly technology to reduce our energy consumption,” says Mark Wagner, Walgreens’ president of community management and operations.
In Ohio alone, the company has 53 installations in 20 counties, making this the largest rollout of solar in one state for one entity. Walgreens is working with SoCore Energy, which will own, maintain and monitor the rooftop systems. SoCore and Walgreens have teamed up with First Energy Solutions to manage the Renewable Energy Certificate process.
In May, the Ohio Air Quality Development Authority provided a $5.2 million loan to SoCore for development of the 53 rooftop solar systems across the state, including five in northwest Ohio. The remainder of the project’s $9.9 million cost is being funded by SoCore and a federal solar tax credit.
Walgreens has a long-standing commitment to reducing energy usage and expanding its renewable energy initiatives. The company became the nation’s first drugstore chain to install a geothermal energy system at one of its stores in Oak Park, Ill., last November. The company’s Mira Mesa, Calif., location became the first drugstore to receive LEED Gold certification by the U.S. Green Building Council. In addition, the company utilizes an energy management system that monitors electricity, water, heating and cooling and waste management at more than 1,100 stores to help reduce energy usage and maintenance costs while extending equipment life.
Walgreens is the nation’s largest drugstore chain with 7,760 drugstores in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. For more information, visit www.walgreens.com.
Chicago-based SoCore Energy LLC is a national provider of custom, portable solar arrays for sale or mid-term rental, giving customers the ability to hedge electric costs while making responsible renewable energy investments. For more information, visit www.SoCoreEnergy.com.