Walmart inks new solar energy deal

Bentonville Ark.-based Walmart is continuing its commitment toward sustainable, renewable energy by subscribing to solar gardens.

The company announced that it has developed a new agreement with U.S. Solar to subscribe to 36 of the company’s community “solar gardens,” which are centrally located solar photovoltaic systems that provide electricity to participating subscribers, and are located throughout Minnesota.

Community solar in Minnesota allows businesses, public entities and residents to subscribe to an offsite solar garden without having to site solar directly on their property, thereby enabling subscribers to reduce their retail electricity costs while also supporting clean, local energy. Subscribers receive energy savings in the form of a bill credit on their retail electric bill based on the amount of energy produced each month by their subscribed portion of the solar gardens.

The 36 one-megawatt (MW) gardens will generate clean, renewable energy and provide energy savings to Walmart locations in 13 separate counties. The first installations have completed construction, with the remainder targeted to be online by the first half of 2020.

“Solar is a vital component of Walmart’s expanding renewable energy portfolio,” said Mark Vanderhelm, vice president of energy for Walmart Inc. “Walmart plans to tirelessly pursue renewable energy projects that are right for our customers, our business and the environment. This community solar gardens initiative with US Solar is moving us in the right direction toward our renewable energy goals.”