100 department stores go solar
September 28, 2010 by John McRae · Leave a Comment
(Image Credit: Kohl’s)
One hundred Kohl’s department stores now have solar panels generating electricity. The 100th store is in Mays Landing, New Jersey, and recently activated its solar technology. Seven more stores in Pennsylvania are slated to also get their own solar panels by March of 2011.
Each Kohl’s store has about 1,400 panels, which supply about 40 percent of the energy demand at each location. The company estimated so far its investment in energy management has saved about 50 million dollars. Kohl’s ultimate goal is to be carbon-neutral by the end of this year.
Kohl’s started adding solar panels to their stores three years ago. Its solar program was launched in California, at the Laguna Nigel store. Today, it has 62 stores with solar panels in California, out of a total of 121, with 38 solar stores in other states.
Ken Bonning, a senior manager said, “Our 100 solar locations, commitment to build 73 Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)-certified locations and 500 Energy Star stores demonstrate our ongoing commitment to sustainability with meaningful results.” (Source: CRSwire.com)
Kohl’s now has stores or distribution centers with solar panels in California, Wisconsin, Connecticut, New Jersey, Maryland, Oregon, and Colorado. Kohl’s reportedly uses the most solar panels of all retail companies in North America. In January of 2010, the company achieved 100 percent green power, according to their press release. Nationwide Kohl’s operates just over 1,000 stores in 49 states.
The White House might take some notes from the department store chain. Recently it rejected a free offer of new solar panels, and still has none on its own roof.
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