Sol Systems completed solar projects totaling 6.5 MW at seven Walmart stores across California. The portfolio is a mix of rooftop systems and solar carports.
Sol Systems
The portfolio is part of an ongoing partnership and will provide power directly to Walmart stores in Burbank, Calexico, North Highlands, Perris, Placerville, Sacramento and Wasco. The projects were developed by Sol Customer Solutions, the development division of Sol Systems, a joint venture with global infrastructure investment firm, Capital Dynamics.
“These projects exemplify the leading approach Walmart is taking: catalyzing action on clean energy across the US and driving a framework for how other companies can take an aggressive, measured approach to reducing carbon emissions through direct, onsite solar energy generation,” said Andrew Grin, associate VP of Sol Customer Solutions.
The projects began construction in 2020, following all necessary protocols to ensure the safety of workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The installation of these solar panels on our stores in California [brings] us closer to our goal to supply 100% of our global electricity needs with renewable energy by 2035 and reinforces Walmart’s broader mission to spark collective climate action,” said Mark Vanderhelm, VP of energy and facilities management at Walmart.
Walmart set a goal last year to be a regenerative company — one that works to restore, renew and replenish in addition to preserving our planet. As part of that goal, it is targeting zero emissions by 2040 across its global operations and aims to harvest enough wind, solar and other renewable energy sources to reach its goal of powering 100% of its facilities with renewables by 2035. Currently, 29% of Walmart’s operations worldwide are powered with renewable energy.
News item from Sol Systems
“Walmart set a goal last year to be a regenerative company — one that works to restore, renew and replenish in addition to preserving our planet. As part of that goal, it is targeting zero emissions by 2040 across its global operations and aims to harvest enough wind, solar and other renewable energy sources to reach its goal of powering 100% of its facilities with renewables by 2035. Currently, 29% of Walmart’s operations worldwide are powered with renewable energy.”
It looks like Walmart has gotten over the “hang over” from poor sub-contractor store installations that didn’t work as advertised and some actually caught fire, when Walmart contracted with Solar City around 2008-2014. Sooner or later it will also benefit Walmart’s big box stores if smart ESS is also installed at all stores. The TOU and dispatch charges added to electric bills can be up around 50% of the price of a monthly electric bill. Time shifting solar PV generation is a cost effective way of getting more bang for the buck, than generate and credit with the utility’s ‘blessing’.