Conshohocken, PA –IKEA has plugged-in an expansion of the solar array atop its Perryville, Maryland distribution center, the state’s largest such solar energy system.

Installation of the new panels began Fall 2013, and since then have nearly doubled the size of the original project, which already was the state’s largest rooftop array.

The 467,618-square-foot solar addition consists of a 2.2-MW system, built with 7,337 modules, and will produce 2.7 kWh of electricity annually.

Including the existing system, the 1.7 million-square foot distribution center’s total 4.9-MW solar installation of 25,913 panels now generating enough electricity to power 591 homes.

For the development, design and installation of the Perryville distribution center’s original and expanded solar power system, IKEA contracted with Indiana-based Inovateus Solar LLC, a distributor and integrator specializing in large-scale solar installations.

IKEA US has solar arrays atop 90% of its locations, has announced plans to purchase 49 wind turbines in Illinois, and has rolled-out EV charging stations at 13 stores.

In 2014, IKEA achieved its goal of completing solar installations atop nearly 90 percent of its US buildings (39 out of 44 locations), with a generation goal of 38 MW.

The Swedish company owns and operates each of its solar PV energy systems – as opposed to a solar lease or PPA (power purchase agreement) – and globally has allocated $1.8 billion to invest in renewable energy through 2015.

IKEA’s corporate strategy includes the goal of being energy independent by 2020. The company has installed more than 550,000 solar panels on buildings across the world and owns/operates approximately 157 wind turbines in Europe and Canada.

There are currently more than 350 IKEA stores in 44 countries, including 38 in the US.

08/11/2014