Wal-Mart extends solar programme in California

Wal-Mart, as part of its commitment to accelerate and broaden its sustainability efforts, has announced it is expanding its solar power programme in California. The company plans to add solar panels on 10 to 20 additional Wal-Mart facilities within the next 18 months. This commitment is in addition to the 18 solar arrays currently installed at Wal-Mart facilities in California. When combined, Wal-Mart's total solar installations are expected to: Generate up to 32 million kilowatt hours (kWh) of renewable energy per year - the equivalent of powering more than 2,600 homes; Avoid producing more than 22,500 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions per year - the equivalent of taking more than 4,000 cars off the road; and provide 20 to 30% of each location's total electric energy needs. "Increasing the use of solar energy is the right thing to do for the environment and makes tremendous business sense, especially in these economic conditions," said Kimberly Sentovich, Wal-Mart's California regional general manager.

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