IKEA Powers-up Solar Energy System’s Panels at Covina, CA Store

The 57,000-square-foot PV array consists of a 451-kW system, built with 2,002 panels. IKEA Covina’s program will produce approximately 651,800 kWh of clean electricity annually, the equivalent of reducing 495 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2), eliminating the emissions of 88 cars or powering 55 homes yearly (calculating clean energy equivalents at www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/energy-resources/calculator.html).



This investment by IKEA to purchase its solar photovoltaic energy system with Gloria Solar modules, and to install and operate it atop the Covina store it owns, will lower the carbon intensity of the electrical grid. It also represents the 12th completed solar energy project for IKEA in the United States. Additional installations currently are underway at eight more locations 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 second IKEA installation in the 50,000-square-mile service area of Southern California Edison, the utility providing electric power to approximately 14 million people throughout Southern California.



“Our mission is to create a better everyday life for the many people, and at IKEA Covina, we just added to this effort,” said Kristien Verbeke, IKEA Covina store manager. “A solar energy system will help reduce our store’s carbon footprint and represents another investment toward our future in this community. We appreciate the continued support of the City of Covina, Southern California Edison, 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 12.5 acres along I-10 at Barranca Avenue, the 325,000-s.f. IKEA Covina opened in May 2003 and employs approximately 250 coworkers. In addition to 10,000 exclusively designed items, IKEA Covina presents 50 different room-settings, three model home interiors, a supervised children’s play area, and a 350-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.



IKEA strives to be ‘The Life Improvement Store,’ and since its 1943 founding in Sweden, has offered home furnishings of good design and function, at low prices so the majority of people can afford them. There are currently more than 320 IKEA stores in 39 countries, including 38 in the U.S. IKEA, the world’s leading home furnishings company, incorporates sustainable efforts into day-to-day business and supports initiatives that benefit children and the environment. For more information, go to IKEA-USA.com.



Contacts



IKEA

Local Contact: Yessica Barrera, 626-966-1111, x1340