Walmart Completes 10 Solar Installations in Md.

[Sherman A1]

Walmart and SolarCity have completed projects at eight Walmart stores and two Sam’s Clubs across the state of Maryland. The energy produced by the new installations will generate about 4.1 million kilowatt-hours of electricity annually -- enough energy to power almost 370 homes, according to the EPA calculator -- and is expected to provide between 5 percent and 20 percent of each store’s overall electricity use.

“In Maryland, we’ve set some of the most ambitious goals in the nation for advancing clean renewable energy and creating green jobs,” said Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley. “We’re helping businesses take advantage of solar incentives so they can save money while embracing the job-creating, planet-saving potential of our green economy.” He called the Walmart-SolarCity partnership “a significant step forward toward a more sustainable future for generations to come.”

With more than 13,400 solar panels, the Walmart stores in Arbutus, Berlin, California, Cockeysville, Fallston, Hagerstown, Laurel and Severn, along with the Sam’s Clubs in Salisbury and Severn, will provide more than 3.1 megawatts of generation capacity.

“Walmart is a leader in clean energy here in Maryland and across the country,” noted Lyndon Rive, CEO of San Mateo, Calif.-based SolarCity. “Walmart is setting an example for companies in Maryland to follow; it’s possible for many Maryland businesses to pay less for solar power than they currently pay for electricity.”

http://www.progressivegrocer.com/top-stories/headlines/national-supermarket-chains/id39441/walmart-completes-10-solar-installations-in-md-/?icid=homepage

While I am no fan of Wal Mart, this is a positive step that hopefully other businesses will choose to do.

[Curmudgeoness]

1. I am also not a fan.

In fact, I refuse to shop at WalMart. But with that said, I am glad to hear that they are leading the way in solar generation for retail stores.

Doesn't it blow you away that the energy generated would power almost 370 homes, but will only provide 5% to 20% of the store's electric use?

[BlueToTheBone]

2. Now if they would work to get them on the rooftops of

houses and businesses around the state, that would be helpful.

[tinrobot]

3. Oh good... we can buy wasteful crap from China...

...with solar-powered cash registers.

Nice that Wal Mart is doing this, but this is really a drop in the bucket for them.

[Sherman A1]

4. Agreed

It is a drop in the bucket to them and I am sure they are receiving a government subsidy to do this, but it is good in that it may lead other companies into doing the same.

In this case even the Wal Mart Cloud has a tiny silver lining.