Walmart bringing thin film solar power technology to U.S. stores
by Steven Mostyn - Sep 21 2010, 06:47
Harnessing the power of its logo. Image: Walmart.
Clearly intent on scoring some brownie points by giving the world a big eco-friendly hug, American retail titan Walmart has this week announced that it plans to harness the power of the sun throughout 20 to 30 more stores in the United States.
Walmart outlets in both Arizona and California will receive the new thin film solar technology systems, which utilise semiconductors that are around one micron thick and are also lighter and cheaper than traditional crystalline wafer panels.
“By leveraging our global scale to become a more efficient company, we are able to lower our expenses and help develop markets for new technologies,” enthused Kim Saylors Laster, vice president of energy at Walmart.
“Developing and incorporating new renewable energy sources, like thin film, reduces energy price risks and aligns very well with our commitment to solving business challenges through technology,” she added.
According to Walmart, its project will apply both copper iridium gallium selenide (CIGS) and cadmium telluride thin film, with its on-site installations expected to further the development of CIGS technology while also potentially encouraging other businesses to adopt cadmium telluride thin film for commercial use.
By installing thin film solar technology across its stores, Walmart hopes to supply each location with 20 to 30 percent of its total energy needs, producing up to 22.5 million kilowatt hours of clean energy per year and restricting CO2 production to 11,650 metric tons per year.
It is Walmart’s ultimate green goal to use a number of technologies around the world in order to become a leading company supplied by 100 percent renewable energy. The retailer already purchases wind energy across Texas and Mexico. It is also in the process of testing geothermal energy, fuel cells, solar and wind power in Canada.
Walmart currently has 31 stores equipped with solar installations in California and Hawaii.
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