Today, several Macy’s locations will reveal their solar energy makeovers – part of a company-wide sustainability initiative – with SunPower during dedication events in Walnut Creek, California; Chestnut Hill, Massachuestts; as fulfillment center in Joppa, Maryland. This marks the completion of 21 high-efficiency SunPower solar energy systems installed this past year at Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s locations in seven states, totaling 15 MW and adding to the nearly 24 MW of SunPower solar that has been operating since 2007. Electricity generated by the new solar power systems will ultimately be sold to others.
A 2.25-MW SunPower solar system on the Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s Fulfillment Center in Joppa, Maryland (PRNewsfoto/SunPower Corp.)
Macy’s Broadway Plaza, Walnut Creek, California: Power produced by the 670-kW SunPower solar power system is enough to provide 111 homes with electricity for one year.
Bloomingdale’s at The Shops at Chestnut Hill, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts: Power produced by the 643-kW SunPower solar power system produces enough power to provide 83 homes’ electricity use for one year.
Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s Fulfillment Center, Joppa, Maryland: Power produced by the 2.25-MW SunPower solar power system provides enough electricity to power 324 homes for one year.
In 2016, Macy’s ranked fourth among corporations nationwide for installed solar according to Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA). About 70% of the 102 solar power systems in the Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s renewable energy portfolio feature SunPower’s high-efficiency technology.
“As a leading national retailer with 140,000 dedicated associates, we have the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in improving the environment,” said Chuck Abt, senior vice president of operations for Macy’s, Inc. “Working with SunPower, we have been able to maximize the value of unused roof areas at our stores and fulfillment centers across the country by deploying the company’s high efficiency solar technology that creates more energy in less space.”
Nineteen of the 21 new systems feature the SunPower Helix Roof product, the world’s first fully-integrated rooftop solar solution for commercial customers. The Helix platform is a pre-engineered, modular solution that is built to last, maximizes power production, and can be installed nearly three times faster than competing technology, enabling customers to scale their solar programs quickly with minimal business disruption.
In addition to solar systems, SunPower also provided Macy’s with battery storage systems at three stores in Southern California. The energy storage technology is expected to help those locations further manage energy costs by offsetting demand charges incurred by commercial customers.
“Macy’s continues to demonstrate extraordinary leadership in sustainability and we’re honored to support the company’s efforts with SunPower’s dependable solar energy solutions,” said Nam Nguyen, SunPower senior vice president. “Pairing SunPower’s Helix Roof system with storage at some locations, we’re delivering more value to Macy’s through innovative solar that installs at record-breaking speed and delivers reliable energy at predictable, cost-competitive rates.”
Macy’s financed the majority of the SunPower solar systems on its stores through power purchase agreements, allowing it to buy power at competitive rates that act as a hedge against future utility rate increases with no upfront capital cost. Macy’s does not own the renewable energy credits associated with most of the SunPower solar energy systems installed on its facilities.
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