IKEA has announced solar energy will be deployed at its Denver-area store under construction in Centennial, CO. Additionally, IKEA Centennial will be the first U.S. IKEA store to integrate a geothermal component as part of its heating/cooling system.
Pending governmental permits, installation of solar panels on the store's roof is to be completed by fall 2011. REC Solar will design, build and install this solar energy system.
The 60,000-square-foot solar array will consist of a 498-kW system, built with 2,212 panels, and will produce approximately 740,000 kWh of electricity annually for the store, the equivalent to reducing 586 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2)—equal to the emissions of 102 cars or providing electricity for 64 homes yearly. This effort by IKEA will contribute to the local utility's renewable portfolio goals and will lower the carbon intensity of the electrical grid.
IKEA U.S. already has solar energy systems in Brooklyn, NY, Pittsburgh, PA and Tempe, AZ, and is installing systems at eight existing locations in California and two stores on the East Coast.
"We are excited about furthering our sustainability commitment," said Doug Greenholz, IKEA U.S. real estate manager. "Similar to geothermal, solar energy will reduce greatly the new store's energy costs and carbon footprint as well as contribute to our vision of creating a better everyday life for the many."
The 415,000-square-foot IKEA Centennial is under construction on 13.5 acres along Interstate 25.
Pending governmental permits, installation of solar panels on the store's roof is to be completed by fall 2011. REC Solar will design, build and install this solar energy system.
The 60,000-square-foot solar array will consist of a 498-kW system, built with 2,212 panels, and will produce approximately 740,000 kWh of electricity annually for the store, the equivalent to reducing 586 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2)—equal to the emissions of 102 cars or providing electricity for 64 homes yearly. This effort by IKEA will contribute to the local utility's renewable portfolio goals and will lower the carbon intensity of the electrical grid.
IKEA U.S. already has solar energy systems in Brooklyn, NY, Pittsburgh, PA and Tempe, AZ, and is installing systems at eight existing locations in California and two stores on the East Coast.
"We are excited about furthering our sustainability commitment," said Doug Greenholz, IKEA U.S. real estate manager. "Similar to geothermal, solar energy will reduce greatly the new store's energy costs and carbon footprint as well as contribute to our vision of creating a better everyday life for the many."
The 415,000-square-foot IKEA Centennial is under construction on 13.5 acres along Interstate 25.
