IKEA is making significant strides in its goal of reducing its reliance on fossil fuels for its US operations. The retail giant has unveiled plans to enhance its sustainability initiatives by introducing solar car parks, expanding rooftop solar panels, and implementing battery energy storage systems.
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An IKEA sign is seen through flowers at the Eshtaol area near the Israeli city of Beit Shemesh, on march 1, 2021.
IKEA Enhances Sustainability Efforts
IKEA has unveiled plans to enhance its sustainability efforts by introducing solar car parks, expanding solar installations on store rooftops, and implementing battery energy storage systems at seven of its stores in the United States.
Electrek reported that IKEA has been actively incorporating solar power into its US stores for over a decade. This green initiative started with the successful setup of solar panels at the IKEA store in Paramus, New Jersey, this July.
What's remarkable is that the Paramus store has a unique solar system covering the whole parking deck roof with solar panels.
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Remaining Stores of IKEA
The remaining stores included in this eco-friendly project are located in Brooklyn, Covina (California), New Haven (Connecticut), Stoughton (Massachusetts), Tempe (Arizona), and the IKEA fulfillment facility in Tejon (California).
According to Energy Portal, the installations in Covina and Tejon are expected to be finalized by the end of this year, while the other stores are scheduled to have their solar systems operational by 2024.
Upon full activation of all seven units, these installations will collectively generate 13,600-megawatt hours of annual production, effectively mitigating 5,883 tons of carbon emissions.
In tandem with these solar efforts, IKEA is also embarking on a renewable heating and cooling venture. This initiative is designed to overhaul and enhance current HVAC systems by integrating high-energy efficiency and coefficient performance.
The project's initial phase will target five stores and is expected to reach completion after a year. The stores will remain operational during the work.
As part of its larger mission, IKEA US aims to significantly decrease its fossil fuel use, with an 80% reduction target by 2030. By adopting renewable energy sources and energy-efficient technologies, IKEA is underlining its dedication to sustainability and actively addressing climate change.
In 2021, IKEA US celebrated the installation of its first inaugural solar car park at the IKEA Baltimore store. Furthermore, the company has blueprints for seven similar projects at various IKEA stores in Maryland and California.
The initial outcomes have surpassed initial projections, with the Baltimore store experiencing an impressive 84% reduction in purchased energy requirements between September and December 2020.
This remarkable achievement translates to a significant 57% reduction in energy costs for the store. In line with IKEA's steadfast commitment to sustainability, the company is taking substantial steps to reduce its environmental footprint.
With sustainability integrated into every facet of its operations, IKEA US currently boasts rooftop solar arrays in 90% of its locations, totaling 54 arrays.
Jennifer Keesson, Country Sustainability Manager at IKEA Retail US, reaffirms the company's unwavering commitment to positively impacting both people and the planet through these sustainability efforts.
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