The 118,000-square-foot PV array consists of a 940.8-kW system, built with 3,920 panels. Ikea New Havens program will produce approximately 1,099,800 kWh of clean electricity annually, the equivalent of reducing 836 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2), eliminating the emissions of 149 cars or powering 95 homes yearly (calculating clean energy equivalents at www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/energy-resources/calculator.html).
This installation represents the 32nd completed solar project for Ikea in the U.S., with seven more locations underway, making the eventual U.S. solar presence of Ikea nearly 89% of its U.S. locations with a total generation of 38 MW. Ikea owns and operates each of its solar PV energy systems atop its buildings as opposed to a solar lease or PPA (power purchase agreement) and globally has allocated 590 million to invest in renewable energy, focusing on solar and wind during the coming three years.
This investment reinforces the long-term commitment of Ikea to sustainability and confidence in photovoltaic (PV) technology. More than 250,000 solar panels have been installed on Ikea stores and buildings across the world. The company also owns and/or operates approximately 110 wind turbines in Europe.
For the development, design and installation of the New Haven stores customized solar power system, Ikea contracted with Gehrlicher Solar America Corp., part of Gehrlicher AG, one of the world's ten largest independent PV project developers and system integrators.
Our mission is to create a better everyday life for the many people, and at Ikea New Haven, we just added to this effort, said Gail Franc, store manager. A solar energy system will help reduce the stores carbon footprint and represents another investment toward our future in this community. We appreciate the continued support of the City of New Haven, United Illuminating, and Gehrlicher Solar, our partners in this project.
