Swedish furniture retailer, Ikea is doubling the size of its US Maryland PV installation.
An additional 2.2MW is being added to 467,618 square feet of Ikea’s Perryville, Cecil County distribution centre.
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The original 2.7MW array was the 36th US solar project to be completed by the furniture manufacturer, and was completed in April this year.
Completion of the expansion is expected in the beginning of 2014, with an additional 7,337 modules generating 2,695,355kWh a year. The completed array will total 4.9MW, with 25,913 panels, generating 6,092,533kWh or enough to power 591 homes.
Indiana-based system installers, Inovateus Solar has been contracted to design, develop and install the system. Ikea will own and operate it.
The enlarged installation will generate enough solar power to allow the distribution centre to mostly use its own energy, the company said.
The rooftop is part of Ikea’s stated goal to be energy independent by 2020, with 90% of US Ikea buildings already fitted with solar installations.
This is a chance for Ikea “to create a more sustainable life for communities where we operate,” said Steffen Daab, distribution center manager.
Ikea also recently announced it is adding solar panels to stores in the UK.
