Kohl’s converting California stores to solar power
April 26, 2007
Source: The Business Journal of Milwaukee
http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2007/04/23/daily35.html
Kohl’s Corp. plans to convert more than 75 percent of its department stores in California to solar power beginning in May. The Menomonee Falls-based retailer announced Thursday morning that the first stores involved in the project will be in Laguna Niguel and in Visalia. Twenty-four of Kohl’s 80 California stores will immediately convert, and the company is seeking permits and approvals for another 40 stores in the state.
Kohl’s management said the company’s initial solar foray will generate more than 35 million kilowatt-hours of renewable energy and, in the first year, will offset more than 28 million pounds of carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas. Kohl’s has contracted with SunEdison, Beltsville, Md., a solar energy service provider, to “solarize” the California stores.
Constructing and activating each California Kohl’s solar conversion will take approximately 12 weeks. The first two stores will be completed by August, and all solar locations in California will be finalized by the end of 2008.
In addition to California, Kohl’s executives are investigating solar options in seven other states. The company did not disclose the cost of the solar conversion project.
Kohl’s (NYSE: KSS) operates 834 stores in 46 states.