Wal-Mart gets kitted out with solar

The store is the first of seven Wal-Mart facilities in California to receive high-efficiency SunPower solar power systems, totaling 4.6 megawatts, and is part of a major purchase of solar power from SunPower and other solar power providers for approximately 22 Wal-Mart stores, Sam’s Clubs and distribution centers in Hawaii and California. The stores included in the pilot project are expected to achieve savings over their current utility rates as soon as the first day of operation.

Each solar power generating system installed may vary, but on average it can provide up to 30 percent of the power for the store on which it is installed. “By Wal-Mart’s estimates, installing the solar power systems will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 8,000-10,000 metric tons per year,” said David Ozment, director of energy for Wal-Mart. The solar power pilot project is a major step toward Wal-Mart’s goal of being supplied 100 percent by renewable energy.

On the roof of Wal-Mart’s Chino store, SunPower installed the proprietary SunPower(R) T-10 solar roof tile, which tilts at a 10-degree angle to increase energy capture. SunPower solar panels, which are 50 percent more efficient than conventional solar panels, are used to maximize power generation and financial savings, especially on rooftops with constrained space.

http://www.solarindustrymag.com/e107...hp?content.906

[hoon]

Good to see. Such is the size of Wal-Mart that if they invest in this across the board it could provide a huge boost to the solar industry.

[spadlet]

Originally Posted by klein

SunPower solar panels, which are 50 percent more efficient than conventional solar panels

Incase I'm not the only one that wondered about the numerical value they were taking about, I had a quick look at their website and their technical papers seem to suggest that their cells are 22.4% efficient. {http://www.sunpowercorp.com/Smarter-Solar/The-SunPower-Advantage/~/media/Downloads/smarter_solar/2BP_1_2_DeCeuster_Final.ashx}

I also found it interesting that the company originally developed solar cells for 'NASA's Helios solar airplane programme in the 1990's'. {http://www.sunpowercorp.com/Smarter-Solar/The-SunPower-Advantage/~/media/Downloads/smarter_solar/2b0%202_4_Campbell.ashx}. I think it's nice to see that some of these projects, that can appear to just be a bunch of technical people messing about with alot of money, are actually leading to benefits to the general population.

The homepage for the website is http://www.sunpowercorp.com/