IKEA To Expand The Use Of Solar Power To More California Outlets

IKEA is planning to expand the usage of renewable energy by setting up about 20,000 solar power systems in eight of its stores in California this year.

The Swedish furniture retailer is expecting the systems to generate around 6.65 million KW hours electricity each year, which is sufficient to meet the electricity needs of 580 households for one year.

Subject to government permits, Tesco will start installing the systems in late fall at three of its northern outlets (West Sacramento, Emeryville and East Palo Alto), four southern stores (San Diego, Covina, Costa Mesa and Burbank) and its big distribution store in Tejon.

While announcing the new plans, IKEA US President Mike Ward said, "We are excited about this investment by IKEA in using renewable energy".

Ikea has also made some other useful, sustainable efforts including the recycling of up to 75 percent of its waste (plastic, paper, wood and so on), flat packing of its products to ensure more efficient distribution and reducing the consumption of energy and water at its outlets. On 1st August, Tesco started to scale back the use of incandescent light bulbs at its US outlets, with the aim of completely eliminating them by January.

In the US, Tesco already has solar panels in Pittsburgh, Pa; Tempe, Ariz; and Brooklyn, N.Y, as well as solar water heating in Draper, Utah; Tampa, Fla; Charlotte, N.C.; and Orlando, Fla. Geothermal systems have been incorporated into an under construction outlet in Centennial, Colo.