The retail sector is focusing on solar power projects as Walmart completes its biggest solar power move at Apple Valley Distribution in Southern California. It has a total capacity of 1 megawatt, which is spread over 7 acres of land and with 5300 mounted solar electricity panels.
The solar power project was announced in May 2007. This first step represents a huge move towards installing photovoltaic systems on more than 20 walmart stores across Hawaii and California. It was announced in May 2009 that solar incentives in California would boost up and around 20 more walmart stores would be equipped with solar power within one and a half year.
According to Scotts Kubicek, General Manager of the Apple Valley Distribution Center, the installation of solar panels is an innovative step towards becoming totally self-sufficient via renewable sources of energy. Augmenting the level of solar energy is appropriate for the environment and is wise for business progress.
Walmart has a company-based vision to become 100 percent sustainable. This implies powering all its facilities with renewable sources of energy and thereby reducing greenhouse gas emission to zero. In January 2010, three other solar projects were accomplished in California (Paramount, Highland and Baldwin Park). The solar installation created by Walmart supplies around 20 to 30 percent of the total need of the facilities. The state does now supply 32 GWh of energy from alternative sources.
According to Mary Nichols of the California Air Resources Board, Walmart is committed to propagate sustainable project in the state. This does reduce gas emission as well as provide jobs.
Walmart Profile
Walmart is a large retail store that has more than 200 million customers visiting their 800 stores per week. The annual sales are estimated to $400 billion and there are 2.1 million associates employed across the globe.
The early initiative announced in May 2007, to buy solar electricity from BP Solar, SunEdison and PowerLight rang the bell for renewable progress for Walmart. In 2008, it had already reached a capacity level of 7 GWh of renewable energy with 20 solar installations. In April 2009, the commitment to grow further was signed with an agreement with BP Solar to expand constantly in California up to 2011. Its expansion plan is expected to provide electricity capacity of 16 GWh of annual clean energy.
In 2009, another green step was undertaken. Walmart began to purchase wind energy from Duke Energy. This is supposed to supply around 15% of the energy required by Walmart in 350 Texas stores and avenues.
Walmart is one of the largest purchasers of wind energy. The wind farm found in Notrees, Texas, generates 90 MW. The annual supply of energy is 226 GWh.
Walmart is given a very positive ranking by EPA’s Green Power Partnership ranking. It is ranked third by as retailers and 15th amidst other national companies as purchaser of clean energy.
Source Renewable Energy Focus
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