29 August 2012

IKEA Goes Solar, Generates Enough Electricity To Power 100 Homes



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Swedish furniture retailer IKEA is now generating electricity on its Twin Cities store in Bloomington, Minnesota, USA.



The 142,000-square feet of 4,316 solar panels is the largest solar installation in Minnesota, and will produce enough energy to power 100 homes (1,161,328kWh)—80% of the store’s electrical needs.



The clean electricity produced is equivalent to the output of one small wind turbine—enough to displace 801 tons of carbon dioxide, or the emissions of 157 cars.



This is the 31st US solar project for IKEA, as part of the ongoing initiative to offset its carbon footprint.



The brand believes in taking responsibility for its environmental impact, stating as part of its philosophy, “At the IKEA Group, we believe that taking responsibility for people and the environment is a prerequisite for doing good business.”



Thus far, IKEA has invested US$590 million in renewable energy projects around the world, according to Star Tribune.





[via Star Tribune]