IKEA Plugs-in Solar Energy Panels at Costa Mesa Store in the O.C.

COSTA MESA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--IKEA, the world’s leading home furnishings retailer, today officially plugged-in the solar energy system installed at its Orange County store in Costa Mesa, California. The 30,000-square-foot array consists of a 248-kW system, built with approximately 1,078 panels. IKEA Costa Mesa’s program will produce approximately 353,800 kWh of clean electricity annually, the equivalent of reducing 280 tons of carbon dioxide (CO₂), eliminating the emissions of 49 cars or powering 31 homes yearly (calculating clean energy equivalents at www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/energy-resources/calculator.html).

“The installation of solar panels at IKEA Costa Mesa is another way we can build upon our ongoing commitment to sustainability”

This investment by IKEA to purchase its own solar photovoltaic energy system and to install and operate it atop the Costa Mesa store will lower the carbon intensity of the electrical grid, and represents the ninth completed solar energy project for IKEA in the United States. There currently also are installations planned at three other IKEA locations in California as well as eight more in the Eastern U.S.

For the development, design and installation of this customized solar power system, IKEA contracted with Gloria Solar, the U.S. operating group focused on the photovoltaic business within the family of E-Ton Solar Group. This project is the first IKEA installation in the 50,000-square-mile service area of Southern California Edison, the utility providing electric power to approximately 14 million people throughout Southern California.

“The installation of solar panels at IKEA Costa Mesa is another way we can build upon our ongoing commitment to sustainability,” said Don Collins, store manager. “At IKEA, we believe in being a good business while doing good business and investing in renewable energy accomplishes both of those goals. We appreciate the support from the City of Costa Mesa, Southern California Edison, and Gloria Solar, our partners in this project.”

IKEA, drawing from its Swedish heritage and respect of nature, believes it can be a good business while doing good business and strives for its operations to minimize impacts on the environment. Globally, IKEA evaluates all locations regularly for energy conservation opportunities, integrates innovative materials into product design, works with Global Forest Watch to maintain sustainable resources, and flat-packs goods for efficient distribution. Specific U.S. sustainable efforts include: recycling waste material (paper, wood, plastic, etc.); incorporating environmental measures into the construction of buildings in terms of energy-efficient HVAC and lighting systems, recycled construction materials, skylights in warehouse areas, and water conserving restrooms; and operationally, phasing out the sale of incandescent light bulbs and facilitating recycling of customers’ compact fluorescent bulbs.

Located on 24 acres at I-405 and Harbor Boulevard, the 308,000-s.f. IKEA Costa Mesa opened May 2003 and employs approximately 300 coworkers. In addition to 10,000 exclusively designed items, IKEA Costa Mesa presents 50 different room-settings, three model home interiors, a supervised children’s play area, and a 300-seat restaurant serving Swedish specialties such as meatballs with lingonberries and salmon plates, as well as American dishes. Other family-friendly features include a Children’s IKEA area in the Showroom, baby care rooms, preferred parking and play areas throughout the store.

IKEA strives to be ‘The Life Improvement Store,’ and since its 1943 founding in Sweden, has offered home furnishings of good design and function, at low prices so the majority of people can afford them. There are currently more than 320 IKEA stores in 38 countries, including 38 in the U.S. IKEA, the world’s leading home furnishings company, incorporates sustainable efforts into day-to-day business and supports initiatives that benefit children and the environment. For more information, go to IKEA-USA.com.