IKEA is continuing their path to 100% renewable energy by installing solar panels on the upcoming St. Louis store in Missouri, which opens on September 30, 2015. The system will consist of 4,085 solar panels, occupy 259,000 square feet, and it has a capacity of 1.28 MW, making it the largest rooftop solar array in Missouri. The plant is expected to generate 1.78 GWh for the store annually. This is enough to power 169 homes, and it is can save an estimated 1,227 tons of CO2.
Kelly Pickerel from Solar Power World said:
‘This array represents the 42nd solar project for IKEA in the U.S, contributing to the IKEA solar presence at nearly 90% of its U.S. locations, with a total generation goal of 40 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 more than $2 billion to invest in renewable energy through 2020, reinforcing its confidence and investment in solar photovoltaic technology.’
IKEA has been satisfying their strong desire for cheap solar power over the years with the installation of many solar systems on its stores, which is a great way to put the concept of commercial rooftop solar power to the test. IKEA has been installing rooftop solar systems on stores not only across the U.S., but across the world.
