Tesco distribution center to have massive solar panel roof
Los Angeles-based Solar Integrated Technologies recently signed a deal with British grocery retailer Tesco to build what may be the world’s largest rooftop solar panel installation.
The $13 million contract calls for SIT to install a two-megawatt solar panel system on the roof of Tesco USA’s new 500,000-square-foot distribution center in Riverside. Another building in the Tesco center will also be outfitted with the panels, bringing the total surface area of the power-generating system to 650,000 square feet.
“Our roofing system will generate 2.6 million kilowatt hours per year, provide a fifth of the depot’s power supply, and save 1,200 tons of carbon dioxide emissions each year,” R. Randall MacEwen, Solar Integrated chief executive, told Reuters. “We believe this will be the largest roof-mounted solar installation in the world.”
Earlier this year, Tesco pledged itself to environmentally friendly policies, saying it would spend $987 million on green projects, cut prices on energy-efficient products and reduce pollution within the firm.
The British retailer, who is looking to make a push into the competitive Southern California grocery market, is also looking to open other stores in Las Vegas. It has secured 20 sites around Phoenix for its initial stores.
Tesco has expanded aggressively in recent years and opened its first Tesco-branded store in China last month. It also runs retail operations in Hungary, Poland, Japan and Thailand, among other countries.