Ikea announced plans today to install solar panels on top of its Jacksonville home furnishings store, which is scheduled to open in the fall.
The system’s construction cost alone is $2.4 million, according to a permit application filed with the city.
Spokesman Joseph Roth said panel installation will start this summer. It will be fifth Ikea solar array in the state.
The 290,000-square-foot Ikea is under development at 7801 Gate Parkway at Interstate 295.
According to the release, the Jacksonville store’s 1.89 megawatt, 251,206-square-foot solar array will built with 5,472 panels and produce about 2,753,070 kilowatt hours of electricity annually.
That is the equivalent of reducing 2,133 tons of carbon dioxide — equal to the emissions of 409 cars or providing electricity for 204 homes yearly, the release said.
REC Solar Commercial Corp. of San Luis Obispo, Calif., is the contractor for the solar project.
Roth said REC Solar is a leader in solar electric design and installation with more than 600 systems built across the U.S.
It will develop, design and install the solar power system in Jacksonville. Marcobay Construction is building the store.
“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, in a news release.
“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,” he said.
The release said the installation will represent the 49th solar project for Ikea in the U.S., contributing to Ikea’s solar presence atop nearly 90 percent of its U.S. locations, with a total generation of more than 42 megawatts.
Ikea owns and operates the solar systems atop its buildings, as opposed to a solar lease or power purchase agreement.
The release said the company has allocated $2.5 billion to invest in renewable energy globally through 2020, “reinforcing its confidence and investment in solar photovoltaic technology.”
The release said that 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 about 300 wind turbines, including 104 in the U.S.
According to the release, 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; 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 Jacksonville Ikea is under construction on 25 acres at Interstate 295 and Gate Parkway. It will have 950 parking spaces.
The building will feature 50 room settings, three model home interiors, a children’s play area, a warehouse with two rows accessible for customer pick-up, and a 325-seat restaurant, among other features
It will hire 250 positions.
Ikea, founded in 1943 in Sweden, sells home furnishings at its more than 390 stores in 48 countries, including 43 in the U.S.
Ikea operates Florida stores in Orlando, Tampa, Sunrise and Sweetwater.
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