Kohl’s, Macy’s go solar in California 

By Staff -- Home Textiles Today, 9/28/2007 1:23:00 PM

New York – Kohl’s said it will affix solar-electric systems to 63 of its 80 California stores – it turned on its first at Laguna Niguel on Sept. 26 – which when operating by the end of 2008 will generate some 25 megawatts of electricity. Kohl’s and its supplier, SunEdison, said this will be equivalent to about “15% of California’s total photovoltaic installations to date.”

The retailer noted that in its first full year of operation, the 63-store installation will offset more than 28 million pounds of carbon dioxide emissions. The rooftop arrays will total 138,000 solar panels.

Macy’s will install solar-electric systems at 26 of its California locations, working with SunPower subsidiary PowerLight, in an 8-megawatt contract. PowerLight will also upgrade the HVAC and lighting systems at the stores; along with the solar generation, these steps are anticipated to achieve a 40% reduction in utility-provided energy, and boost the savings to 195 million pounds of carbon dioxide emissions over the system lifetime.