IKEA to Install Solar Panels Atop Future Jacksonsville, FL Store Opening Fall 2017; Array Will be Retailer’s 5th in State

JACKSONVILLE, Fla.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–IKEA, the world’s leading home furnishings retailer, today announced
plans to install solar panels atop its future Jacksonville store opening
Fall 2017. Panel installation will begin this summer, with completion
expected in early Fall for what will be the fifth IKEA solar array in
the State of Florida.


The Jacksonville store’s 251,206-square-foot solar array will consist of
a 1.89 MW system, built with 5,472 panels, and will produce
approximately 2,753,070 kWh of electricity annually for the store, the
equivalent of reducing 2,133 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) –
equal to the emissions of 409 cars or providing electricity for 204
homes yearly (calculating clean energy equivalents at www.epa.gov/energy/greenhouse-gas-equivalencies-calculator).

For the development, design and installation of the new store’s solar
power system, IKEA selected REC Solar, a national leader in solar
electric design and installation with more than 600 systems built across
the U.S. Marcobay Construction is building the store that will reflect
the same unique architectural design for which IKEA stores are known
worldwide.

“We are excited about furthering our sustainability commitment and
contributing to a low-carbon society with solar atop our future
Jacksonville store,” said Lars Petersson, IKEA U.S. president. “We have
a mission to create a better everyday life for the many, and IKEA
Jacksonville can add to this goal and keep us Florida’s largest
non-utility private solar owner.”

This installation will represent the 49th solar project for
IKEA in the United States, contributing to the IKEA solar presence atop
nearly 90% of its U.S. locations, with a total generation of more than
42 MW. IKEA owns and operates each of its solar PV energy systems atop
its buildings – as opposed to a solar lease or PPA (power purchase
agreement) – and globally has allocated $2.5 billion to invest in
renewable energy through 2020, reinforcing its confidence and investment
in solar photovoltaic technology. Consistent with the goal of being
energy independent by 2020, IKEA has installed more than 700,000 solar
panels on buildings across the world and owns approximately 300 wind
turbines, including 104 in the U.S.

IKEA, drawing from its Swedish heritage and respect of nature, believes
it can do good business while minimizing impacts on the environment.
Globally, IKEA evaluates locations regularly for conservation
opportunities, integrates innovative materials into product design,
works to maintain sustainable resources, and flat-packs goods for
efficient distribution. Specific U.S. sustainable efforts include:
recycling waste material; incorporating environmental measures into the
actual buildings with energy-efficient HVAC and lighting systems,
recycled construction materials, skylights in warehouse areas, and
water-conserving restrooms; and operationally, eliminating plastic bags
from the check-out process, and selling only LED bulbs. IKEA has
installed electric vehicle charging stations at 15 stores, with more
locations planned.

The 290,000-square-foot future IKEA Jacksonville and its 950 parking
spaces will be built on 25 acres along the northwestern corner of
Interstate 295 and Gate Parkway, approximately 10 miles southeast of
downtown Jacksonville. Until the future IKEA Jacksonville opens in Fall
2017, customers can shop at IKEA Orlando and IKEA Tampa or online at IKEA-USA.com.
Two other IKEA stores are located in the South Florida cities of Sunrise
and Sweetwater.

Since its 1943 founding in Sweden, IKEA 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 390 IKEA stores in 48
countries, including 43 in the U.S. IKEA has been ranked among “Best
Companies to Work For” and, as further investment in its coworkers, has
raised its own minimum wage twice in two years. IKEA incorporates
sustainability into day-to-day business and supports initiatives that
benefit children and the environment. For more information see IKEA-USA.com,
@IKEAUSANews,
@IKEAUSA
or IKEAUSA on Facebook,
YouTube,
Instagram
and Pinterest.

Contacts

IKEA
Joseph Roth, 610-834-0180, ext. 6500
Expansion Public
Affairs