Wal-Mart, SunPower install (390 kW) solar system

OKIsItJustMe

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Mon Jan-28-08 02:12 PM
Original message

Wal-Mart, SunPower install (390 kW) solar system

http://www.bizjournals.com/eastbay/stories/2008/01/28/daily1.html

Monday, January 28, 2008 - 10:12 AM PST

Wal-Mart, SunPower install solar system

East Bay Business Times

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and SunPower Corp. have completed the installation of a 390-kilowatt solar power system at the Wal-Mart-owned Sam's Club in Chino, the companies said Monday.

The solar installation is the first of seven Wal-Mart (NYSE: WMT) facilities in California to receive high-efficiency SunPower (NASDAQ: SPWR) solar power systems, totaling 4.6 megawatts, and is part of a major purchase of solar power from SunPower and other solar power providers for approximately 22 Wal-Mart stores, Sam's Clubs and distribution centers in Hawaii and California.

The stores included in the pilot project are expected to achieve savings over their current utility rates as soon as the first day of operation.

"We are very pleased with SunPower's progress on the Chino solar project," Kim Saylors-Laster, vice president of energy for Wal-Mart, said in a statement. "Wal-Mart is moving forward with its commitment to conserve energy, reduce energy costs and lower greenhouse gas emissions -- and this project is a step in the right direction."

...

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

DCKit

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Mon Jan-28-08 05:21 PM
Response to Original message

1. This is an accounting, not an environmental decision for WallyMart.

The cost of electricity in Hawaii and California's incredible array of rebates, tax credits and net metering laws coupled with the size of the installations and WalMart's buying power ensure that it will be a money-maker for the company. With a twenty year warranty/life expectancy, WalMart should enjoy about ten years of (nearly) free money from their CA installations and, the higher electric rates go, the more they will make.

Why CA and not AZ, NM, TX, UT, CO, NV, or FL? They don't have such favorable laws and the payoff would be far longer, though still better than break-even.

When WalMart begins to install wind turbines in the 30 acre parking lots of their stores in the plains states, along the coastlines and shores of the Great Lakes and solar electric in those states where the immediate benefits aren't as apparent as in CA, I'll begin to believe they might be serious about environmental issues and not just the immediate, bottom line benefit.

This is WalMart we're talking about folks, not the Sierra Club.

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

OKIsItJustMe

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Mon Jan-28-08 05:32 PM
Response to Reply #1

2. Oh, I agree 100%

Walmart is doing it for financial reasons.

This is the take-home message as far as I'm concerned, "Hey look! Even Walmart thinks it's financially advantageous to put solar panels on their roof!"

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

DCKit

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Tue Jan-29-08 12:03 AM
Response to Reply #2

3. That's true too. But their public stance pisses me off.

If they told the people of CA how good a deal they could get with the incentives, many more would be eager to install solar electric and hot water systems.

My one concern: Is there a limit to the funds, incentives, capacity and tax breaks available? If WalMart hogs all the available incentives for themselves, the citizens of CA are out in the cold and buying power from (drum roll, please) WALMART!!!

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

DU AdBot (1000+ posts)

Thu May 16th 2024, 10:50 AM
Response to Original message

Advertisements [?]

Top

Powered by DCForum+ Version 1.1 Copyright 1997-2002 DCScripts.com
Software has been extensively modified by the DU administrators

Important Notices: By participating on this discussion board, visitors agree to abide by the rules outlined on our Rules page. Messages posted on the Democratic Underground Discussion Forums are the opinions of the individuals who post them, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of Democratic Underground, LLC.