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IKEA, the world’s leading home furnishings retailer, today announced plans to install solar atop its future Grand Prairie, TX store opening Fall 2017 as the company’s second Dallas-Fort Worth-area store. Panel installation will begin this summer, with completion expected in early Fall for what will be the fourth IKEA solar array in the State of Texas.
The Grand Prairie store’s 181,500-square-foot solar array will consist of a 1.25 MW system, built with 2,800 large format panels, and will produce approximately 2,000,000 kWh of electricity annually for the store, the equivalent of reducing 1,406 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) – equal to the emissions of 197 cars or providing electricity for 208 homes yearly (calculating clean energy equivalents at www.epa.gov/energy/greenhouse-gas-equivalencies-calculator).
For the development, design and installation of the new store’s solar power system, IKEA selected SunPower, one of the world's most innovative and sustainable energy companies providing complete solar solutions and services. MYCON Construction is building the store that will reflect the same unique architectural design for which IKEA stores are known worldwide.
“We are excited about furthering our sustainability commitment and a low-carbon society with solar panels on this Grand Prairie store,” said Lars Petersson, IKEA U.S. president. “IKEA has a mission to create a better everyday life for the many, and IKEA Grand Prairie can add to this goal while also keeping us the largest non-utility private solar owner in Texas.”
This installation will represent the 48th solar project for IKEA in the United States, contributing to the IKEA solar presence atop nearly 90% of its U.S. locations, with a total generation of more than 42 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 $2.5 billion to invest in renewable energy through 2020, reinforcing its confidence and investment in solar photovoltaic technology. Consistent with the goal of being energy independent by 2020, IKEA has installed more than 700,000 solar panels on buildings across the world and owns approximately 300 wind turbines, including 104 in the U.S.
IKEA, drawing from its Swedish heritage and respect of nature, believes it can do good business while minimizing impacts on the environment. Globally, IKEA evaluates locations regularly for conservation opportunities, integrates innovative materials into product design, works to maintain sustainable resources, and flat-packs goods for efficient distribution. Specific U.S. sustainable efforts include: recycling waste material; incorporating environmental measures into the actual buildings with energy-efficient HVAC and lighting systems, recycled construction materials, skylights in warehouse areas, and water-conserving restrooms; and operationally, eliminating plastic bags from the check-out process, and selling only LED bulbs. IKEA has installed electric vehicle charging stations at 16 stores, with more locations planned.
The 290,000-square-foot future IKEA Grand Prairie and its 1,100 parking spaces will be built on 30 acres along the eastern side of State Highway 161 and Mayfield Road, north of Interstate-20. Until IKEA Grand Prairie opens as the state’s fourth store, customers can shop at Collin County’s IKEA Frisco or online at IKEA-USA.com. Other Texas IKEA stores are in Houston and Round Rock, with a San Antonio-area one planned to open Summer 2019 in Live Oak, and a Fort Worth store to open as the third DFW-area location, also in Summer 2019.
(photo: IKEA to install solar atop future Grand Prairie, Texas store opening Fall 2017 via Business Wire)