Sunday 6 July 2014

IKEA boosts US solar energy capacity

IKEA has completed the expansion of its solar energy system at its distribution centre in Perryville, Maryland in the US.

The home retailer switched on the “nearly-doubled” addition which consists of a 2.2MW system. The distribution centre’s total 4.9MW installation of more than 25,900 panels will generate enough electricity to power nearly 600 homes.

That is expected to cut 4,299 tonnes of carbon emissions, equivalent to taking around 896 cars off the road.

Steffen Daab, Distribution Centre Manager said: “We are fortunate to have the roof spaces and corporate commitment to nearly double the energy being generated by this facility. We are proud to make this investment and grow our local sustainable footprint.”

IKEA has installed more than 550,000 solar panels on buildings across the world and owns around 157 wind turbines in Europe and Canada.