Wal-Mart completes three SoCal solar projects
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Mega-retailer Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is three more solar projects closer to its goal of supplying itself entirely through renewable energy.
The chain completed installations at its locations at 14501 Lakewood Blvd. in Paramount, 3250 Big Dalton Ave. in Baldwin Park and 421 E. Highland Ave. in San Bernardino, the company said today.
Wal-Mart launched a solar pilot program in May 2007 but announced an expanded initiative April 22 -- Earth Day -- that it hopes will double its use of solar energy in California. The push would result in installations at 10 to 20 stores in the next year, each providing as much as 30% of the facility’s electric needs.
The total solar effort across the state is expected to generate up to 32 gigawatt-hours of energy each year, or the equivalent of the power needs for more than 2,600 homes. The installations would help avoid more than 10,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions each year, taking about 2,000 cars off the road – or so Wal-Mart hopes.
In addition to its goal of running entirely on renewable energy, the chain also hopes that its operations down the line will create zero waste -- a tall order for a company with more than 8,000 retail units in 15 countries.
-- Tiffany Hsu
