27 Solar Projects Planned by Walmart
Twenty-seven Walmart stores in Massachusetts will receive photovoltaic installations before the summer is over, if all goes according to plan. The total number of megawatts for the new store solar arrays is expected to be 10.5. These solar projects are in their infancy and still require permits, but if they are constructed, it is expected that between 10 and 15 percent of each store’s energy would be provided by them. Twenty-seven stores is a little over half of Massachusetts’ fifty Walmarts. The big box retailer’s director of energy programs said he is optimistic they will save money in the long term using solar energy.
Connecticut-based Greenskies Renewable Energy LLC will install and operate the 27 Walmart solar arrays. It will receive no support from the government of Massachusetts.
According to the Boston Globe, Walmart was partially encouraged to add more solar arrays to its Massachusetts stores due to a push by the state. Large, flat-roofed buildings present a very favorable opportunity for constructing solar arrays. The state wants to install 250 MW of solar capacity by 2017. Massachusetts currently has about 105 MW of solar capacity.
Walmart’s stores around the country have a solar capacity of about 50 MW. Their stores in California, Hawaii, and Arizona have had solar panels for some time, and they are adding more in Colorado and New Jersey. Last year, they announced 75% of their California stores would be getting solar installations, bringing the total number up to 130.
Whether one likes Walmart or not, it is clearly trying to move towards having more renewable energy, and if it provides any customer education about its solar projects, it would promote solar to a huge number of people.
Image Credit: Cape Cod Sunset by PapaDunes
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