Walmart using Solar to reduce costs and improve reliability

[xcel]

Walmart and SunEdison announce Solar Energy pilot in Puerto Rico.

Wayne Gerdes - CleanMPG - Aug. 9, 2009

Walmart and BP Solar’s 591 kW solar power system at a Sam’s Club in Palm Springs.

Walmart of Puerto Rico and SunEdison, North America's largest solar energy services provider recently announced plans to deploy rooftop solar systems on five Walmart stores in Puerto Rico with the potential for 23 stores over five years. The project will be the largest renewable energy project ever developed on the island. Given traditional energy rates, the systems will provide Walmart long-term predictably priced solar-generated energy.

Under a solar power services agreement with Walmart, SunEdison will finance, own, build and operate the photovoltaic solar energy systems, which will deliver long-term, low-risk returns to project financiers. Construction on the first 895kW rooftop system at Walmart Supercenter Caguas is scheduled to begin before the end of 2009.

Each solar power-generating system installed will vary slightly but across the Puerto Rico sites, a system can provide 25 to 35 percent of the power the store or club needs. Throughout the duration of a 15 year contract, the zero-emission systems are projected to produce 90 million kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity.

Renzo Casillo, president & CEO of Walmart Puerto Rico added that, "we are transforming every aspect of our operation, and that includes energy consumption. Today, our new Walmart stores are 21 percent more energy-efficient than our original 2005 stores. Through the implementation of energy-saving strategies and the installation of energy-efficient equipments, last year we achieved an 8.7 percent reduction in energy consumption compared to the previous year. With this solar energy project we'll continue to broaden our efforts towards our main objective and commitment of being supplied 100 percent by renewable energy".

SunEdison COO Carlos Domenech said, "We commend Walmart's aggressive leadership in renewable energy as a model for all industries. Our collaboration in Puerto Rico will provide a long-term financial return on Walmart's investment in energy. The project also brings the solar industry to Puerto Rico with well-paying jobs for the island on top of the reduction of greenhouse gases to improve the environment."

The five locations that are part of the pilot and the size of the installations:

Sam's Club Rexville: 795 kW
Sam's Club Ponce: 936 kW
Wal-Mart Super Center Ponce Baramaya: 1240 kW
Wal-Mart Super Center Manati: 854 kW
Wal-Mart Super Center Caguas: 895 kW

[drimportracing]

That is fantastic! Hopefully it will happen here in the US too! I wish every Walmart had them, if that wouldn't drop the prices on PV, I don't know what would.

I'm right behind them, I just bought my "huge" system a few days ago. At only $3.80 per watt! I got the "you ain't off the grid yet starter kit" from Harbor Freight and I used my bi-weekly 20% off coupon for $171.00 out the door. Included is the "notoriously cheap" controller and a couple of lights so the cost per watt is actual less than $3.80.

I expect this to be my next obsessive compulsive adventure, I'll probably get a few more of these kits after I play around with this one. Or I'll get a few "real" 100+ watt panels and a better controller.

I want to take advantage of the government's 30% credit that has been extended until the end of 2016.

Go Walmart! - Dale

[SD3_Driver]

nice, finally some renewable energy down here.....