Wal-Mart announces solar ambitions

Wal-Mart has announced plans to double the energy produced by its solar power scheme.

The US-based supermarket giant said it plans to install rooftop solar panels on up to 20 more stores and distribution centres in California over the next 18 months.

Stores with panels installed get 20%-30% of their energy needs from solar.

Earlier this month, the company finished installing solar panels at 18 stores and two warehouses in California and Hawaii as part of a pilot scheme.

“The pilot program led us to the point that we believe in solar,” said Kim Saylors-Laster, Wal-Mart’s vice president of energy.

Once the latest project is complete, Wal-Mart’s solar panels will produce enough energy to power 2,600 homes, and will cut the firm’s carbon emissions by 22,500 tonnes per year.

Wal-Mart spokesperson Kory Lundberg said installing the solar panels ‘makes tremendous business sense’ because of the resulting cost savings.