SOLAR POWER COMING TO THREE AREA WALMART STORES
BENTONVILLE, AR/SAN JOSE, CA – Walmart announced Tuesday that it has reached an agreement with SunPower to have the commercial energy provider install solar systems at 19 stores and two distribution centers in Illinois.
According to a news release, stores in Benton, Marion and Murphysboro will be getting solar systems.
As part of the project, a mix of rooftop and ground-mount solar systems are expected to account for 23 megawatts, with construction targeted for the first half of next year. This commitment moves Walmart closer to its 2025 goal of supplying its global operations with 50 percent renewable energy. This system will save as much carbon emissions in a year as provided by 24,000 acres of U.S. forest, an area nearly the size of Elgin, IL, according to the EPA Greenhouse Gas Equivalencies Calculator.
Walmart is financing the solar projects through a power purchase agreement arranged by SunPower, allowing Walmart to buy power at competitive prices and hedge against future utility rate increases with no upfront capital costs. Walmart will own the renewable energy credits associated with the system.
