Walmart plans to use a new lighter weight and lower cost solar technology at the majority of its 20 to 30 store locations in California and Arizona that are scheduled for solar power system installations this year.
Adding about 15 megawatts of solar, the project, which will add to the 31 current solar installations Wal-Mart has in California and Hawaii, is expected to supply up to 20 to 30 percent of the total energy needs for each location, produce up to 22.5 million kilowatt hours of clean energy per year, and avoid producing more than 11,650 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent annually.
“This extension will help us meet our goal to become more efficient, lower our expense and help develop less traditional solar technology markets,” says Mack Wyckoff, senior manager, Energy Systems Develop & Technology, at Wal-Mart, and lead on the thin-film project.
According to Wal-Mart, the thin film solar panels look similar to the traditional crystalline panels, but require fewer raw materials to manufacture, resulting in a smaller environmental impact over its life cycle.
Corporations need to find ways to minimize and control costs, this is one of the ways to accomplish this initiative. "CEO's will be held accountable for the overall profitability of their companies, knowing that solutions exists that specifically address the continually rising costs of utilities, CEO are on notice and must take a significant look at all options available." - says Ken Boyle VP Solar Fusion.
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