IKEA has officially plugged-in the solar energy system installed at its store in West Sacramento, California. The 65,000-square-foot array consists of a 573-kW system, built with approximately 2,548 panels. IKEA West Sacramento's program will produce approximately 795,500 kWh of clean electricity annually - the equivalent of reducing 630 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2), eliminating the emissions of 109 cars or powering 69 homes yearly.

This investment by IKEA to purchase its own solar photovoltaic energy system and to install and operate it atop the West Sacramento store will lower the carbon intensity of the electrical grid, and represents the eighth completed solar energy project for IKEA in the United States. There also currently are plans underway to install systems at four other IKEA locations in California as well as eight more in the Eastern U.S.

For the development, design and installation of this customized solar power system, IKEA contracted with Gloria Solar, the U.S. operating group focused on the photovoltaic business within the family of E-Ton Solar Group.

This project is the third IKEA installation in the 70,000-square-mile service area of PG and E, the utility providing natural gas and electric service to approximately 15 million people throughout northern and central California.

"We at IKEA believe in the never-ending job of striving to improve the sustainability of our day-to-day business," said Heine Roikjer, IKEA West Sacramento store manager.

"The IKEA coworkers in West Sacramento are excited to help contribute to this goal with our newly operational solar energy system. We appreciate the support of the City of West Sacramento, PG and E and Gloria Solar, our partners in this project."

IKEA, drawing from its Swedish heritage and respect of nature, believes it can be a good business while doing good business and strives for its operations 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.

Located on 21 acres at I-80 and Reed Avenue, the 265,000-s.f. IKEA West Sacramento opened March 2006 and employs approximately 250 coworkers.

In addition to 10,000 exclusively designed items, IKEA West Sacramento presents 50 different room-settings, three model home interiors, a supervised children's play area, and a 250-seat restaurant serving Swedish specialties such as meatballs with lingonberries and salmon plates, as well as American dishes and other family-friendly features including a Children's IKEA area in the Showroom, baby care rooms, preferred parking and play areas throughout the store.

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Related Links IKEA All About Solar Energy at SolarDaily.com