Energy Efficiency, Commercial, Distributed Generation, Solar, Sourcing Renewables  -  March 6, 2017

Target continues solar spree with 5 rooftop projects

Photo of one of Target's rooftop solar installations provided by SEIA. 

Continuing to increase the amount of solar capacity used to power its operations, Target Corp. recently has announced plans to install rooftop solar projects on five of its Colorado stores. 

The energy produced from the solar installations will equate to one-third of each of the store's energy use, reducing the amount of energy each will need from the grid, Target said in a Feb. 27 statement. Capacity from all five systems is expected to total more than 3,800 MWh of energy per year.

The company in 2016 installed more megawatts of rooftop solar than any other U.S. company, knocking out Wal-Mart Stores Inc. for the top ranking in the Solar Energy Industry Association's Solar Means Business report. 

Target said the first of the five Colorado systems is nearly complete; work on the remaining four will continue in 2017. The company partnered with SunPower for the installations, which are part of Target's goal to have 500 stores with rooftop solar panels by 2020. Target said it will continue to look for opportunities to expand its solar presence across the state and region.

The retailer also touted its commitments to other renewable energy sources and to energy efficiency in announcing the new solar projects. Target in July 2016 announced it would offset 100% of the energy used in 60 of its Texas through a purchase of 40 MW of wind energy; the company said 76% of its buildings are Energy Star certified through the U.S. EPA program. 

"We are proud to be helping the state reach its clean energy goals with more than 10% of our stores in Colorado now outfitted with solar installations and we're optimistic about growing our solar footprint in the state in the future," John Leisen, vice president of properties for Target said in a statement. "Target is committed to enriching the communities we serve, and operating energy-efficient and sustainable buildings is one way we are following through on that promise in Colorado."

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