Walmart and SolarCity today announced the completion of projects at eight Walmart stores and two Sam’s Clubs across the state of Maryland that will generate clean, renewable electricity. The energy produced by the new solar installations will generate approximately 4.1 million kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity annually – enough energy to power nearly 370 homes – and are expected to supply between 5-20 percent of each store’s overall electricity use.
"In Maryland, we've set some of the most ambitious goals in the nation for advancing clean renewable energy and creating green jobs," said Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley. "We're helping businesses take advantage of solar incentives so they can save money while embracing the job-creating, planet-saving potential of our green economy. I commend the partnership between SolarCity and Walmart as a significant step forward toward a more sustainable future for generations to come."
“Building a clean energy economy creates new jobs and provides affordable, reliable clean energy choices for businesses,” said Abigail Ross Hopper, director of the Maryland Energy Administration. “The partnership between SolarCity and Walmart shows that we’re taking the right steps.”
With over 13,400 panels, the Walmart stores in Arbutus, Berlin, California, Cockeysville, Fallston, Hagerstown, Laurel and Severn, along with Sam’s Clubs in Salisbury and Severn will provide over 3.1 megawatts (MW) of generation capacity.
“Walmart is a leader in clean energy here in Maryland and across the country,” said SolarCity CEO Lyndon Rive. “Walmart is setting an example for companies in Maryland to follow; it’s possible for many Maryland businesses to pay less for solar power than they currently pay for electricity.”
This new series of solar systems in Maryland bring the total number of Walmart and Sam’s Club locations with SolarCity installations to almost 150 across multiple states with additional locations in the works. Last year, SolarCity installed Walmart’s largest solar-power system at its distribution center in Buckeye, Ariz.
“Solar power makes sense for Walmart, and it makes sense for Maryland,” said David Ozment, Walmart’s senior director of energy. “We are committed to increasing the use of renewable energy, including solar panels, at our stores in Maryland and throughout the country.”
In total, Walmart generates more than 1 billion kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity around the world annually. It also has more than 300 renewable energy projects in operation or under development globally. With a goal to be supplied 100 percent by renewable energy, the company is ranked by the United States' Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) ‘Green Power Partnership’ program as the largest on-site green power generator in the U.S. Last year, the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) ranked Walmart the number one retailer to use solar power in the U.S. Solar energy will continue to play a critical role in Walmart’s renewable energy portfolio and the company aims to install solar on at least 1,000 stores in the U.S. by 2020.
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