14 DAY TRIAL // The latest sustainable project coming from IKEA is a solar photovoltaic energy system installed at its East Bay store in Emeryville, California, representing the 11th completed solar energy project for the company in the United States.
The system spreads over an area of 68,000 sqm, and generates 538 kW from its approximately 2,394 panels, being expected to produce approximately 760,300 kWh of clean electricity annually.
According to IKEA, this would be the equivalent of reducing 578 tons of CO2, eliminating the emissions of 103 cars or powering 64 homes annually.
“IKEA has a never-ending job where most things still remain to be done. We constantly ask ourselves how we can improve what we do today for a better tomorrow. We appreciate the support of the City of Emeryville, PG&E and Gloria Solar, our partners in this project,” stated Patrick Choa, IKEA Emeryville store manager.
Mike Ward, President, IKEA US, claims the company is committed to a long-term strategy in which all IKEA stores and buildings will be supplied with 100% renewable energy. In addition, the company aims to improve its overall energy efficiency by 25 percent over 2005.
IKEA has more than 40 solar panel installations around the globe, of which 11 are in the U.S. only. Additional installations currently are underway at one other IKEA location in California as well as eight more in the Eastern U.S.
Specific U.S. sustainable efforts include: recycling waste material (paper, wood, plastic, etc.); incorporating environmental measures into the construction of buildings in terms of energy-efficient HVAC and lighting systems, recycled construction materials, skylights in warehouse areas, and water conserving restrooms.
Operational efforts include phasing out the sale of incandescent light bulbs and facilitating recycling of customers’ compact fluorescent bulbs.