2Sustain

Last week, IKEA announced plans to install solar energy panels on five locations in the Midwest, extending the company’s solar presence to nearly 85 percent of its US locations. Pending governmental permits, installation can begin this winter, with completion expected in summer 2012.

Collectively, the five stores will total approximately 20,400 panels, 4.8 megawatts (MW) of solar generating capacity and an annual output of 5.62 million kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity –that’s the equivalent to reducing 4,273 tons of carbon dioxide (CO₂) and  equal to eliminating the emissions of 760 cars or providing electricity for 484 homes yearly (calculating clean energy equivalents at www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/energy-resources/calculator.html).

This investment by IKEA reinforces the company’s long-term commitment to sustainability and confidence in photovoltaic (PV) technology, and it’s worth noting that IKEA will own and operate each of its solar PV energy systems atop its buildings, as opposed to a solar lease or PPA (power purchase agreement).

If you’re curious about more details, here are a few of the locations, along with approximate system statistics and corresponding clean energy equivalents:

• Bloomington, MN. Store size:  336,000 SF on 15 acres. Solar Program: 142,000 SF at 1,136 kW; 4,834 panels generating 1,300,700 kWh/yr. Equivalent to reducing 989 tons of CO₂, 176 cars’ emissions or powering 112 homes.
• Bolingbrook, IL. Store size:  310,000 SF on 23 acres. Solar Program:  140,300 SF at 1,122 kW; 4,774 panels generating 1,298,200 kWh/yr. Equivalent to reducing 987 tons of CO₂, 176 cars’ emissions or powering 112 homes
• Canton, MI. Store size:  311,000 SF on 33 acres. Solar Program:  122,200 SF at 977 kW; 4,157 panels generating 1,138,200 kWh/yr. Equivalent to reducing 865 tons of CO₂, 154 cars’ emissions or powering 98 homes.

(The other two locations are Pittsburgh, PA and Schaumburg, IL.)

IKEA already has 12 US solar energy systems operational with 20 more underway.  Installing solar panels atop these additional locations will result in a total generating capacity of 31.6 MW in the US.

The company says it draws on its Swedish heritage and a respect of nature to form the foundation of a belief that it can be a good business while doing good business.  In short, IKEA’s US sustainability efforts reflect a business and operating model designed to minimize impacts on the environment, and in addition to the solar initiative, the company is committed to:  recycling waste material, incorporating environmental measures into the construction of buildings, such as energy-efficient HVAC and lighting systems, phasing out the sale of incandescent light bulbs and facilitating recycling of customers’ compact fluorescent bulbs. IKEA also offers EV charging stations at nine western stores.

“We are pleased that solar energy systems already have proven successful at IKEA locations and are thrilled we now can complete the solar coverage of all our Midwestern stores,” said Mike Ward, IKEA US president.  “With only 44 locations nationwide, we try to contribute whenever and wherever possible to creating a better everyday life for the many.  So – from a sustainability perspective – we are open to ideas for incorporating key environmental technologies and look forward to considering other opportunities as they arise, too.”