Kohl’s Department Stores Powers Up Solar Initiative with 30 New Locations in 2012

June 25, 2012
Kohl’s Department Stores recently announced that the company will expand its solar program by nearly 25% in 2012, installing solar panels at approximately 30 additional Kohl’s locations

Kohl’s Department Stores recently announced that the company will expand its solar program by nearly 25% in 2012, installing solar panels at approximately 30 additional Kohl’s locations. While some of the new solar sites will be in states such as California, Connecticut, and Maryland where Kohl’s already has a solar presence, additional sites will be located in new solar states for Kohl’s, including Massachusetts, New York, and Ohio. On average, the solar panels will supply 20% to 50% of each store’s energy. Construction of the solar panel arrays on the first phase of stores began this spring. Once the installations are complete by the end of 2012, Kohl’s expects to have more than 150 solar locations across 13 states.

“After adding 20 solar locations in 2011, we’re pleased to continue growing our solar program in 2012,” said John Worthington, Kohl’s chief administrative officer. “Not only do our solar locations provide an immediate cost savings to Kohl’s, they serve as examples of our environmental commitment in action. As a national retailer with more than 1,100 stores, we consistently challenge ourselves to find new ways to reduce the operational footprint of our facilities, to be more energy efficient, use fewer resources and be a good neighbor in the communities where we do business. It’s exciting when we are able to add solar panels to a store, because it becomes part of a shopper’s Kohl’s experience. Even if they can’t immediately see the solar panels on the roof — similar to how they might not see all of the characteristics that make a store Energy Star-labeled or LEED-certified, they know Kohl’s is working to be a good environmental steward and to make responsible choices about how we operate our stores.”

Kohl’s launched its solar program in 2007 with the installation of solar panels at its Laguna Niguel, Calif., store. The company has continued to expand the program to additional locations over the last five years where it is feasible and provides a cost savings. Currently, Kohl’s is one of the largest single hosts of solar electricity in North America and has more than 120 solar locations, including its Milwaukee photo studio and San Bernardino, Calif., distribution center – the company’s largest solar panel array. With the completion of Kohl’s 30 new locations, the company’s portfolio of solar sites will produce more than 74.2 million kilowatt hours of energy annually – equivalent to preventing greenhouse gas emissions from 10,032 passenger vehicles or the carbon dioxide emissions from the electricity use of 6,380 homes for a year.

Through the on-site energy generation at Kohl’s solar locations, two wind locations and the purchase of renewable energy credits, Kohl’s offsets more than 100% of its conventional companywide energy use. The company continues to purchase renewable energy credits to offset the energy consumption of new stores and corporate locations and made a 2012 renewable energy purchase of more than 1.5 billion kilowatt hours. In recognition of these efforts, Kohl’s was named a Green Power Partner of the Year by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 2009, 2010, and 2011. The company also makes energy efficiency a priority and currently has more 700 Energy Star-labeled locations – more than half of the company’s stores – with a goal of achieving 800 labeled locations by 2015.

Kohl’s green power and energy efficiency programs are key components of the company’s commitment to being a leading environmentally responsible retailer through strategies that include sustainable operations, collaboration throughout its supply chain and stakeholder engagement. Additional information about Kohl’s environmental efforts is available at www.kohlsgreenscene.com. Kohl’s comprehensive environmental program, Advancing Environmental Solutions, is part of the Kohl’s Cares philanthropic platform, committed to making communities happier, healthier, greener places to live and work. Additional information about Kohl’s Cares is available at www.Kohls.com/Cares.

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