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Many major US stores are looking to cut costs for high energy bills by tapping into the unused real estate above their properties.  Attempting to cash in on government tax incentives, retail chains like Wal-Mart, Sam’s Club, and Kohl’s are installing solar panels to harness the sun’s energy for heating and power needs.  While the cost per kilowatt are still not as competitive as other fossil fuel based sources, businesses are taking steps to be ready for an economy where fuel shortages could change things significantly.
 
“It’s very clear that green energy is now front and center in the minds of the business sector,” Daniel M. Kammen, an energy expert at the University of California, Berkeley told the New York Times.  With fuel oil hitting $4.00 a gallon this past summer, businesses with an eye for managing operation costs are seeing that there are some advantages to capitalizing on unused overhead, i.e. rooftop acreage.
 
Kohl’s recently announced  that its Oregon stores would begin installing solar panels this month.  “Kohl’s strives to be an environmentally responsible retailer,” said Ken Bonning, executive vice president of logistics for Kohl’s. “The addition of Oregon to our solar program demonstrates our continued desire to use cleaner energy and reduce our carbon footprint.”  Estimating that 25% of the stores energy needs would be supplied by the new solar grid, Kohl’s is pressing forward with a plan to install solar power systems at stores in California, Connecticut, Maryland, New Jersey, and Wisconsin.

 
Initially seen as inefficient and impractical, solar panel technology has made some significant advances.  Back in 1979, when President Carter first announced his alternative energy strategy, solar panels were mainly collectors that used the heat of the sun to heat water for use in buildings.  However, the idea of using that water to turn turbines and create electricity, while possible was very costly.  While fossil fuel burning power plants could generate a kilowatt of power for about 5 or 6 cents, solar power plants were only been able to generate a kilowatt as cheaply as $1.  Photovoltaics, or the process of converting the sun’s light into electricity, has made significant progress in bringing the price of solar electricity down.  Using photovoltaics, Nellis Air Force Base has managed to create solar electric power for the base at a cost of 2.2 cents per kilowatt.
 
Europe and Japan are leading the charge in solar power implementation.  Germany has so many store roof projects going on that the results are visible from satellite photos.  Japan initiated subsidy programs for homeowners to install photovoltaic systems.  According to a U.S. Department of Energy report, the result was an increase in Japanese solar generated power from 31.2 megawatts in 1994 to 318 megawatts in 1999.
 
American retailers seem to be profiting from the experience of other nations solar programs and the latest developments in photovoltaic science.  By studying Germany and Japan’s implementation procedures, American stores are able to weigh the pros and cons of which type of panels to install at which types of stores.  Regional weather patterns can make one solar collection method a better choice than another.  With a little persistence, and some government backing, retailers may quickly become the new energy experts.

Thursday, August 28th, 2008 You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.

By Alicen Hogan