Global home furnishings retailer IKEA has completed the installation of a solar panel atop its store in Memphis, US, which is scheduled to open later this year.
Once commissioned, the project is expected to become the largest solar rooftop array in the state of Tennessee.
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IKEA Memphis store manager Trisha Bevering said: “IKEA strives to create a sustainable life for communities where we operate, and IKEA Memphis is adding to this goal with Tennessee’s largest rooftop solar array.”
Consisting of a 1.46MW system, the 250,657ft² solar array has been built over the store using 4,424 panels. These would produce around 2,000,000kWh of electricity annually.
IKEA claims that the solar power it generates here is equivalent to reducing 1,406 of carbon dioxide which is the same as the emissions from 297 cars or the electricity consumed by 205 homes in a year.
For the development, design and installation of its customised solar power system at its Memphis store, the retailer chose Atlanta-based Hannah Solar.
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By GlobalDataThe site work and construction of the store on the other hand will be handled by Linkous Construction.
This project at the upcoming Memphis store is the 44th for IKEA in the US. As the owner and operater of all solar PV energy systems atop its buildings, IKEA has allocated a $2.5bn investment in globally renewable energy through 2020.
IKEA aims to become energy independent by 2020. It currently has more than 380 stores worldwide spread across 48 countries, with 42 of them in the US.
Image: Installation of solar panels completed atop future IKEA Memphis, which will be Tennessee's largest rooftop array when store opens. Photo: courtesy of IKEA.
