REI to Add Solar Power to 10 Percent of Its Stores in 2008

May 16, 2008 – Vol.13 No.8

REI to Add Solar Power to 10 Percent of Its Stores in 2008.

The commitment by Recreational Equipment, Inc. represents one of the largest solar investments for a specialty retailer in the country. REI is a national retail cooperative providing outdoor gear and clothing,

Photovoltaic solar panels will be able generate up to 35 percent of a store’s energy needs. REI’s solar investment will generate an estimated 1.1 million kilowatt hours of electricity, enough to power 117 homes for one year and save approximately 880 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions.

The co-op has selected 11 stores to be retrofitted with solar systems in 2008. The seven locations in California include Arcadia, Folsom, Sacramento, San Carlos, San Diego, San Francisco and Santa Rosa. Additional stores include three in Oregon – Clackamas, Hillsboro and Tualatin – and the co-op’s second prototype store in Round Rock, Texas. These locations will serve as a foundation for REI to determine how it approaches solar installations in the future.

The solar panels for the REI stores in California will be installed by Offset Electric, while the Oregon locations will be retrofitted by Christenson Electric, Inc., a large privately held electrical contractor based in Portland, Oregon.

The co-op has committed to utilizing renewable power sources wherever possible. REI currently purchases approximately 20 percent of its electricity from green sources, including wind and biomass, and continues to collaborate with utility companies in developing additional options available in the market.

REI operates retail stores nationwide and two online stores. (5/16/08)

Links:

REI
http://www.rei.com

Disclaimer, Forward-Looking or Safe Harbor Statement on original press release: No