Walmart Goes Solar in 27 Massachusetts Stores

By Veronica Grecu, Associate Editor

Greenskies Renewable Energy LLC, a Middletown, Conn.-based company specialized in the design and implementation of solar energy systems, has teamed up with chain store Walmart to install crystalline solar panels on 27 of the retailer’s Massachussetts stores over the next two years.

The project is currently in the design and engineering phase, but Walmart officials are hoping to get all the licenses and permits by August 2012. The new project is expected to generate around 10.5 megawatts of energy (enough to power more than 1,300 households), making Walmart the largest user of solar energy in the state.

The retail giant has already engaged in similar solar projects in California, Arizona and Hawaii and additional projects are in line for Colorado and New Jersey but, according to Walmart Senior Director of Energy David Ozmen, the newly announced Bay State project is the largest single percentage installation. The forthcoming systems will provide from 10 to 15 percent of each store’s energy needs.

As reported by Renewable Power News, Walmart’s plan is strongly supported by Governor Deval Patrick, who over the past four years has helped similar projects to be installed on several local supermarkets and large retail players. The Governor’s state-wide initiative aims at installing 250 megawatts of solar energy by 2017.

The Bay State solar panels will be provided, owned and operated by Greenskies, while Walmart will buy the power and use it for its stores at an estimated price of $3 per watt (or a lump sum of $31.5 million), according to The Boston Globe.

Image courtesy of https://www.walmartstores.com