The 60,000-square-foot solar array will consist of a 498-kW system, built with 2,212 panels, and will produce approximately 740,000 kWh of electricity annually for the store, the equivalent to reducing 586 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) – equal to the emissions of 102 cars or providing electricity for 64 homes yearly (calculating clean energy equivalents at www.epa.gov/ cleanenergy/energy-resources/calculator.html). This effort by IKEA will contribute to the local utility’s renewable portfolio goals and will lower the carbon intensity of the electrical grid.
IKEA U.S. already has solar energy systems in Brooklyn, NY, Pittsburgh, PA and Tempe, AZ, and is installing systems at eight existing locations in California and two stores on the East Coast. Additionally, IKEA Centennial will be the first U.S. IKEA store to integrate a geothermal component as part of its heating/cooling system.
“We are excited about furthering our sustainability commitment with solar panels on the future Centennial store,” said Doug Greenholz, IKEA U.S. real estate manager. “Similar to geothermal, solar energy will reduce greatly the new store’s energy costs and carbon footprint as well as contribute to our vision of creating a better everyday life for the many.”
IKEA, drawing from its Swedish heritage and respect of nature, believes it can be a good business while doing good business and reflects a business and operating model designed to minimize impacts on the environment. Globally, IKEA evaluates all locations regularly for energy conservation opportunities, integrates innovative materials into product design, works with Global Forest Watch to maintain sustainable resources, and flat-packs goods for efficient distribution. Specific U.S. sustainable efforts include: recycling waste material (paper, wood, plastic, etc.); incorporating environmental measures into the construction of buildings in terms of energy-efficient HVAC and lighting systems, recycled construction materials, skylights in warehouse areas, and water conserving restrooms; and operationally, phasing out the sale of incandescent light bulbs and facilitating recycling of customers’ compact fluorescent bulbs.
Under construction on 13.5 acres along the western side of Interstate 25, north of the Park Meadows area, accessible from connections to Dry Creek Road and County Line Road, the 415,000-square-foot IKEA Centennial, with approximately 1,500 parking spaces, will present 10,000 exclusively designed items, three model home interiors, 50 room settings, a supervised children’s play area, a 500-seat restaurant serving Swedish specialties such as meatballs with lingonberries and salmon plates, as well as American dishes. Other family-friendly features include a ‘Children’s IKEA’ area in the showroom, baby care rooms, preferred parking and play areas throughout the store. Until the 415,000-square-foot IKEA Centennial opens, customers can shop in Draper, UT and Tempe, AZ or at IKEA-USA.com.
There are currently more than 300 IKEA stores in 38 countries, including 37 in the U.S. Since its 1943 founding in Sweden, IKEA, the world’s leading home furnishings company, has offered home furnishings and accessories of good design and quality at low prices so the majority of people can afford them. IKEA has been ranked among FORTUNE’s annual “100 Best Companies to Work For”, Working Mother’s annual list of “100 Best Companies for Working Mothers” and Training’s annual “Top 100” ranking of companies that excel at human capital development. TIME listed IKEA as one of the top eight most global eco-conscious companies. IKEA incorporates sustainable efforts into day-to-day business and supports initiatives that benefit children and the environment.
