Apr 26 2010
Home furnishings retailer IKEA has plans to install a solar energy system on one of its stores located at Tempe, Arizona. The installation is scheduled to commence in May and is expected to be completed by fall. Two solar systems having 300 kWh capacities with around 1,300 solar panels will be installed on the facility having configuration of 46,000 sq. ft. The system is likely to generate around 1 million kWh of electrical energy annually, sufficient to power 86 homes and equivalent of removing 712 tons of CO2.
Gloria Solar has received the contract from IKEA to develop, design and install the solar energy system. Gloria Solar focuses its business on photovoltaic systems and is a subsidiary of E-Ton Solar Group. The solar system will be installed in partnership with SRP, a public power utility and provider of resources such as wind, biomass, solar, hydroelectricity and geothermal to over 935,000 customers.
IKEA believes that business should be carried out in such a manner that the business process has minimal impact on the environment. Some of the other sustainable initiatives taken by IKEA include collaborating with Global Forest Watch for maintaining sustainable resources; integrating innovative materials including recycled wood waste for the legs of coffee tables; recycling around 75% of waste such as plastic, wood and paper; flat-packing the products for efficient distribution systems; and implementing environmental approaches such as energy-efficient lighting and HVAC systems, low-volatile organic compound emitting paint, recycled construction materials, water conserving restrooms and skylights in its warehouses into the construction of its buildings.
Situated near Warner Road in Tempe, Arizona, the 342,000-sq.-ft. facility of IKEA employs around 250 coworkers. IKEA Tempe offers 44 different room types, 10,000 exclusively produced items and three model home interiors among others.
Source: http://www.ikea.com/us/en/