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Published on March 4th, 2013 | by Adam Johnston

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Walmart Advances Solar Capacity In Hawaii Stores

Walmart continues to push itself as a leader in sustainability. Recently the retail giant — along with SunEdison — completed solar projects in three of Walmart’s Hawaii stores.

The three stores in Kapolei, Kailua-Kona and Kahului are all part of an ambitious goal to  ensure all Walmart stores energy is supplied by 100% renewable sources.

Image Credit: Walmart

A total of greater than 400,000 kilowatt hours (kWh) will come from the stores 311 kilowatt (KW) systems. That’s the equivalent of removing 67 cars off the road in one year, or wiping out 9,600 tons of carbon emissions within a ten-year span.

“We are committed to making decisions that are not only good for business and the environment, but also allow us to pass on savings to our customers,” said Hawaii Walmart Market Manager Rey Armijo. “We’re excited about the expansion of our solar program in the islands and this important step towards our goal of being supplied 100 percent by renewable energy,” he said

Walmart has been busy in recent years promoting cleantech initiatives, and changing their reputation originally as a foe of the environment, with 240 renewable energy projects currently under way globally.

Some key projects include installing it’s 100^th California solar system in San Diego’s College Avenue store, and starting their first industrialized wind turbine project in Red Bluff, California. On the international level, the company has solar projects under way  in the UK, Canada, and China.

These renewable energy initiatives have not gone unnoticed, as Walmart is the third biggest green purchaser in the Forbes 500, along with the second largest green retail purchaser in the US.

The scope and scale of Walmart’s renewable energy projects should give cleantech gurus some hope, as Walmart is striving to be a sustainability champion. While some critics will condemn the companies current and past environmental mistakes (which Walmart should be held accountable for) it does not hurt that the world’s largest retailer is showing a major interest in green power, even if it’s just for the bottom line.

Main source: Walmart

Tags: hawaii renewable energy, Solar Energy Hawaii, Walmart cleantech, Walmart Renewable Energy, WalMart Solar Energy, Walmart Sustainability

About the Author

Adam Johnston A University of Winnipeg graduate who received a three year B.A. with a combined major in Economics and Rhetoric, Writing & Communications. Currently attempting to be a freelance social media coordinator. My eventual goal is to be a clean tech policy analyst down the road while I sharpen my skills as a renewable energy writer. Currently working on a book on clean tech and how to relate it to a broader audience. You can follow me on Twitter @adamjohnstonwpg or at www.adammjohnston.wordpress.com

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