IKEA, the world’s leading home furnishings retailer, today announced plans to install solar PV systems on six more of its locations in the Eastern United States.  Pending governmental permits, installation can begin in late spring, with completion expected this fall.  Collectively, the six buildings will total 5.076 megawatts (MW) of solar generating capacity, more than 22,000 panels, and an annual output of 6.39 million kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity annually – the equivalent to reducing 4,860 tons of carbon dioxide (CO₂) – equal to the emissions of 867 cars or providing electricity for 534 homes yearly (according to www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/energy-resources/calculator.html for calculating clean energy equivalents).  This effort by IKEA will contribute to the local utilities’ renewable portfolio goals and will lower the carbon intensity of the electrical grid. 

IKEA will install panels at its Baltimore and College Park, MD stores as well as atop the Cincinnati-area store in West Chester, OH.  Similarly, the two Philadelphia-area IKEA stores – in Conshohocken, PA and Philadelphia, PA – also will be receiving solar panels, as will be the IKEA North America Service Office – in Conshohocken.  Specific information is below:

• Baltimore, MD (store) – opened in 1988; store size:  205,000 SF on 12.3 acres
  Solar Program:  79,000 SF at 631 kW; 2,744 panels generating 840,400 kWh/year
  Equivalent to reducing 639 tons of CO₂, 114 cars’ emissions or powering 70 homes

• College Park, MD (store) – opened in 2003; store size:  371,000 SF on 29.8 acres
  Solar Program: 148,200 SF at 1,185 kW; 5,150 panels generating 1,556,600 kWh/year
  Equivalent to reducing 1,183 tons of CO₂, 211 cars’ emissions or powering 130 homes

• Conshohocken, PA (store) – opened in 2003; store size:  325,000 SF on 23 acres
  Solar Program: 150,100 SF at 1,201 kW; 5,220 panels generating 1,431,100 kWh/year
  Equivalent to reducing 1,088 tons of CO₂, 194 cars’ emissions or powering 120 homes

• Conshohocken, PA (U.S. Office) – opened in 2006; size:  75,000 SF on 7 acres
  Solar Program:  4,200 SF at 33 kW; 144 panels generating 39,500 kWh/year
  Equivalent to reducing 30 tons of CO₂, 5 cars’ emissions or powering 3 homes

• Philadelphia, PA (store) – opened in 2004; store size:  311,000 SF on 20 acres
  Solar Program: 125,300 SF at 1,002 kW; 4,356 panels generating 1,194,200 kWh/year
  Equivalent to reducing 908 tons of CO₂, 162 cars’ emissions or powering 100 homes

• West Chester, OH (store) – opened in 2008; 344,000 SF on 30 acres
  Solar Program: 128,000 SF at 1,024 kW; 4,452 panels generating 1,331,700 kWh/year
  Equivalent to reducing 1,012 tons of CO₂, 181 cars’ emissions or powering 111 homes

“We are excited to continue investing in renewable energy projects, reducing our carbon footprint, and improving the lives of the many people,” said Mike Ward, IKEA U.S. president.  “Adding solar energy to more U.S. locations is consistent with our commitment to sustainable building practices, so we are thrilled our evaluation determined these projects to be feasible for IKEA.  We are open to considering other opportunities and technologies too.”

IKEA, drawing from its Swedish heritage and respect of nature, believes it can be a good business while doing good business, and strives for its operations to minimize impacts on the environment. Globally, IKEA evaluates all locations regularly for energy conservation opportunities, integrates innovative materials into product design, works with Global Forest Watch to maintain sustainable resources, and flat-packs goods for efficient distribution.  Specific U.S. sustainable efforts include:  recycling waste material (paper, wood, plastic, etc.); incorporating environmental measures into the construction of buildings in terms of energy-efficient HVAC and lighting systems, recycled construction materials, skylights in warehouse areas, and water conserving restrooms; and operationally, phasing out the sale of incandescent light bulbs and facilitating recycling of customers’ compact fluorescent bulbs.

For the Maryland and Ohio stores, IKEA contracted with REC Solar, one of the largest U.S. solar electric providers, with more than 6,000 systems built nationwide including 16MW in the retail sector the past two years.  For the three Philadelphia-area locations, IKEA has identified Gloria Solar – the U.S. Systems Integrator of the E-Ton Solar Group that recently completed the largest U.S. commercial project, a 5MW land mount in Arizona.  Both firms already have implemented, and are implementing, other solar PV programs for IKEA.

In the United States, IKEA already has:  solar energy systems operational in Brooklyn, NY; Burbank, CA; Pittsburgh, PA; Tejon, CA (distribution center) and Tempe, AZ; solar water heating systems in Charlotte, NC; Draper, UT; Orlando, FL; and Tampa, FL.  Other solar energy systems currently being installed include six more locations in California, and two on the East Coast.  Also, both a solar energy system and a geothermal system have been incorporated into the Denver-area store opening this year in Centennial, CO. 

IKEA strives to be ‘The Life Improvement Store,’ and since its 1943 founding in Sweden, has offered home furnishings of good design and function, at low prices so the majority of people can afford them.  There are currently more than 320 IKEA stores in 38 countries, including 37 in the U.S.  IKEA, the world’s leading home furnishings company, incorporates sustainable efforts into day-to-day business and supports initiatives that benefit children and the environment.  For more information, go to IKEA-USA.com.                           

IKEA

IKEA

IKEA strives to be 'The Life Improvement Store,' and since its 1943 founding in Sweden, has offered home furnishings of good design and function, at low prices so the majority of people can afford them. There are currently more than 320 IKEA stores in 39 countries, including 38 in the U.S. IKEA, the world’s leading home furnishings company, incorporates sustainable efforts into day-to-day business and supports initiatives that benefit children and the environment. For more information, go to IKEA-USA.com.

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