Big Warehouse Stores Going Solar

Walmart’s Big Solar Goal

Rarely does a decision to go solar have such a big impact. However, because of its scale, Walmart is contributing to the fundamental development of a growing solar economy and creating hundreds of jobs with its long-term goal of using 100-percent renewable energy for all its retail and distribution facilities.

And by announcing plans to install solar in its Arizona and California stores with SolarCity, the planet’s largest retailer has taken a major step toward its ambitious goal.

“Walmart is setting a clear example that other companies can follow, and demonstrating that solar power can reduce pollution and lower operational costs at the same time,” said Lyndon Rive, SolarCity’s CEO. “They’re helping to make solar energy more accessible for other businesses and homeowners.”

The first SolarCity Walmart to come online, back in July 2010, was the Stockton, California store. Now 59 stores are slated to have 23 megawatts of solar capacity with SolarCity by the end of this year, with more than 120 stores expected to be online by the end of 2013. That means fully three-quarters of Walmart’s California stores will receive power from the sun.

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