IKEA stores and facilities going solar has become a regular occurrence.
The latest system switched on is the 1.4 megawatt array installed at its distribution center near Savannah, Georgia in the USA.
Consisting of over 6,000 solar panels, it’s currently the state’s largest privately owned solar rooftop array. The system will generate 1,973,562 kWh of clean electricity annually, enough to power 170 homes, and will avoid 1,361 tons of carbon dioxide emissions each year.
This installation is the 34th completed solar project for IKEA in the U.S.
But IKEA isn’t done yet – five more installations are currently being constructed in the USA. When these are complete, solar energy will be helping to power nearly 89% of the company’s U.S. locations, with a total of 38 MW capacity. IKEA owns and operates each of its solar installations.
The company’s efforts in this respect aren’t confined to the USA. IKEA has allocated AUD$ 743.4 million to invest in renewable energy globally during the next three years.
More than 250,000 solar panels have been installed on IKEA stores and buildings around the world to date and the company also owns and/or operates approximately 110 wind turbines in Europe. It has also installed electric vehicle charging stations at nine stores.
Other recent installations include a 1,633-kW system at a Central Texas store in Round Rock – the largest of all IKEA solar installations atop U.S. stores. Another installation completed in September was a 940.8 kW system on a store in New Haven, Connecticut – that state’s largest photovoltaic array.
At times criticised concerning environmental issues, IKEA says it aims to minimize impacts on the environment. The company evaluates locations regularly for conservation opportunities, works to maintain sustainable resources and flat-packs goods for efficient distribution. There are currently more than 330 IKEA stores in 40 countries.
