Walmart to grow 400 new solar energy projects in US

Walmart aims to install up to 400 new solar projects at facilities across the US in next four years.

This escalates its global commitment to drive the production or procurement of seven billion kWh of renewable energy by the end of 2020, to be supplied by 100 percent renewable energy.

Walmart has invited proposals from SolarCity and SunEdison, following an RFP process, to fulfill these installations.

This expansion is followed by the Solar Energy Industries Association’s commercial report, identifying Walmart as having the most installed solar capacity in the U.S, said, Pam Kohn, executive vice president, Walmart, president, Walmart Realty.

So far, it has installed around 260 solar projects in the United States and the commercial solar deployment is105 MW, more than double the capacity of the next largest firm.

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To date, Walmart’s entire renewable portfolio has saved more than $5 million in energy expenses.

This is the beginning of the next wave in renewable energy for Walmart, an effort announced in May when President Obama visited the Mountain View California store, said Kim Saylors-Laster, vice president, energy, Walmart.

These projects brings the company closer to fulfilling its commitment to double the number of on-site solar energy projects in U.S. stores, Sam’s Clubs and distribution centers—thereby reducing the energy expenses and generating clean energy in local communities, he added.

The installations will vary in size with the size and requirement of the store. Smaller systems will provide 10 to 20 percent of the electricity requirements and larger systems will provide 20 to 30 percent of the power needed by the facility.

SunEdison is one of Walmart’s earliest solar providers with projects dating back to 2007 and, SolarCity has been its largest solar provider, installing more than 200 projects together since 2010, said, Katherine Jennrich, senior manager, energy services, Walmart.

Sabeena Wahid
[email protected]