Monday 24 June 2013

Walgreens to add 200 solar installations at US stores

The largest drugstore chain in the US has unveiled plans to build more than 200 new solar installations at its stores across the country.

The roll-out at Walgreens' stores throughout California, Connecticut, Delaware, Masschusetts, New Jersey and New York is expected to produce 13.5 million Kwh of energy every year, the equivalent of offsetting carbon emissions from the electricity use of more than 1,400 homes.

The latest expansion will bring the number of completed solar installations at Walgreens' stores to more than 350.

Thomas Connolly, Walgreens Vice President of facilities development said: “We are committed to reducing our carbon footprint and leading the retail industry in use of green technology. Because we operate more than 8,000 stores, we believe our implementation of sustainable energy technology can have a significant positive impact on the nation’s environment while also creating jobs.”

Walgreens has aimed to achieve a 20% reduction in energy by 2020 through the US Department of Energy's Better Buildings Challenge.

The company operates 8,096 drugstores in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico and provides goods to more than six million customers across the US.

US supermarket giant Walmart recently announced the completion of eight new PV projects in Massachusetts following plans to ramp up energy efficiency and hit its target to be powered by 100% renewable energy.