Alternative Energy

[skyblu]

SPWR
bizjournals.com
Wal-Mart, SunPower install solar system
Monday January 28, 5:37 pm ET

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 - News) facilities in California to receive high-efficiency SunPower (NASDAQ: SPWR - News) 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."

On average, each solar system can provide up to 30 percent of the power for the store on which it is installed, the companies said.

The solar pilot program is one of several green or environmental sustainability initiatives that Bentonville, Ark.-based Wal-Mart has undertaken.

SunPower bought Berkeley-based PowerLight Corp., a maker of large-scale residential and commercial solar power systems, in January 2007 for $330 million. The Berkeley company now operates as a subsidiary of SunPower: SunPower Corp., Systems.

Published January 28, 2008 by the East Bay Business Times