Sep 22 2010
Wal-Mart, the largest retailer in the U.S., is planning to go green through a series of solar energy initiatives. In 2005, Wal-Mart established a goal of becoming 100% self-sufficient through renewable energy.
The company, with a total of 8,400 locations and touted to be the one among the largest retailers in the world, is currently conducting real-world tests upon green-energy technologies.
Wal-Mart is trying to implement futuristic solar energy technologies for many of its outlets. The company is one of the largest private electricity users in the U.S. Since 2008, the solar facilities of Wal-Mart that number 31 in the locations of Hawaii and California have cut this retailer’s energy expenses by $1 million. This would mean a small volume for a company that has annual revenue amounting to $405 billion, but it is still noteworthy since, on the national basis, solar is much more expensive when compared to traditional energy like coal.
Wal-Mart has often been criticized by environmental groups for not practicing green initiatives. However, other green and retail analysts opine that the company is pursuing renewables at the best possible pace, given the overall economics. Wal-Mart feels that creating green energy might become a long-term challenge and that the company is trying to make it a realistic goal.
Source: http://www.walmart.com/