Ikea aims to add 40,000 square feet of solar panels to its Canton store expansion to generate more electricity and reduce carbon dioxide emissions, the furniture retailer said.
The project is the state’s largest rooftop solar array, the company said.
“We are thrilled at the opportunity to increase the amount of solar energy generated and used by this store,” said Matt Hunsicker, the Canton store manager. “This is another example of the Ikea commitment to create a more sustainable life for communities where we operate.”
Ikea, the Swedish retailer that opened the 311,000-square-foot store at Ford and Haggerty in 2006, said it seeks to minimize impacts to the environment and “respect nature.” It said it uses solar energy in about 90% of its 46 locations in the U.S.
In addition, the company plans to build wind turbines in Illinois and Texas.
As part of its sustainability efforts, Ikea said it also has eliminated plastic bags from the checkout lines, phased out the sale of incandescent bulbs, and by 2016, will sell only LED lights.
The company is working on a 44,000-square-foot expansion to the Canton store, and plans to install the solar array with 765 panels on the roof. The addition is expected to open next year.
To put the size of the store into perspective, a football field — without the end zones — is about 57,600 square feet.
The array expansion is expected to generate 287,490 kWh of electricity a year, adding to the existing system of 4,925 solar panels at the store.
When installed, the company expects to reduce about 984 tons of carbon dioxide emissions a year.
In general, the solar panels generate 20% to 80% of the electricity the stores need.
The company said it needs to expand the size of the Canton store because it is offering more products than when it opened and it will boost sales.
Ikea’s solar array
765: Solar panels
984: Tons of carbon dioxide reduced
40,000: Square feet of solar panels
44,000: Square feet of addition
287,490: kWh of electricity a year
