IKEA plugs-in South Florida’s largest solar energy system and becomes state’s largest non-utility solar owner

Thursday, Jan 31, 2013

IKEA, the world’s leading home furnishings retailer, today officially plugged-in the solar energy system installed at its South Florida store in the City of Sunrise – which will be the largest solar installation in South Florida and, when combined with IKEA projects already completed atop stores in Orlando and Tampa, will make IKEA the state’s largest non-utility solar owner. The 101,774-square-foot PV array consists of a 1,057-kW system, built with 4,368 panels. IKEA Sunrise’s program will produce approximately 1,554,600 kWh of clean electricity annually, the equivalent of reducing 1,181 tons of carbon dioxide (CO₂), eliminating the emissions of 210 cars or powering 134 homes yearly (calculating clean energy equivalents at www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/energy-resources/calculator.html).

“IKEA Sunrise now has added to the IKEA mission of creating a better everyday life for the many people”

This installation represents the 35^th completed solar project for IKEA in the U.S., with four more locations underway, making the eventual U.S. solar presence of IKEA nearly 90% of its U.S. locations with a total generation of 38 MW. IKEA owns and operates each of its solar PV energy systems atop its buildings – as opposed to a solar lease or PPA (power purchase agreement) – and globally has allocated $1.8 billion to invest in renewable energy through 2015. This investment reinforces the long-term commitment of IKEA to sustainability and confidence in photovoltaic (PV) technology. Consistent with the company’s goal of being energy independent by 2020, IKEA has installed more than 250,000 solar panels on buildings across the world and owns/operates approximately 110 wind turbines in Europe.

For the development, design and installation of the Sunrise store’s customized solar power system, IKEA contracted with REC Solar, Inc., a national leader in solar electric system design and installation with more than 9,000 systems built across the U.S.

“IKEA Sunrise now has added to the IKEA mission of creating a better everyday life for the many people,” said Peter Steinweg, store manager. “This solar array will reduce our carbon footprint and represents another investment by us in this community. We appreciate the support of the City of Sunrise, Florida P&L, and REC Solar, Inc. our partners in this project.”

Source: Business Wire