Large retail companies in many states are finding that solar panels are just the thing to help them cut down on their considerable energy costs.
Over the past couple of years, retail giants like Wal-Mart have made news by adding solar panels to store rooftops, especially in California.
More recently, Albertson's supermarkets announced the installation of three rooftop solar arrays at its stores in Carlsbad, Oceanside and Alpine, California. The plants were financed by SunEdison, which will also monitor and maintain the systems, while the electricity generated will be sold under a 20-year power purchase agreement.
"The sites will allow us to continue making progress on our cost-saving measures and to support the use of clean energy as an alternative to the grid," said Rick crandall, director of environmental stewardship for Albertson's Southern California Division.
Over the next two decades, the solar arrays are expected to offset more than 13 million pounds of carbon emissions while generating enough energy to power 1,100 homes for a year. The environmental benefits are also comparable to taking 1,300 cars off the road for 20 years.