Target Adds Solar Installations in Edgewater

Pictured above is an example of a completed solar installation. Photo provided by the Southern Current (southerncurrentllc.com)

From a Target statement:

Target is expanding its solar power presence for the first time in Colorado by installing rooftop panels on five stores across the state, in partnership with SunPower.

The energy produced from the solar installations will equate to one-third of each of the store’s energy use, reducing the store’s energy grid need. In total, the systems will produce more than 3,800 megawatt hours (MWh) of energy annually, which is equal to powering 285 homes for a year and will help contribute to the state’s clean energy goals.

Target is increasingly meeting a portion of its energy needs with solar power. In fact, Target installed more megawatts of rooftop solar in 2016 than any other U.S. retailer, and in 2016, the company was named the No. 1 U.S. Corporate Solar Installer by Solar Energy Industries Association.

Target is near completing the first solar power system installations at select Colorado store locations, and will continue with installs in 2017. These stores include:

• Aurora South (15700 East Briarwood Circle); expected completion date March 2017
• Arapahoe (6767 South Clinton Street in Englewood); expected completion date March 2017
• Arvada (7899 Wadsworth Boulevard ); expected completion date March 2017
• Edgewater (1985 Sheridan Boulevard); expected completion date April 2017
• Highlands Ranch (1265 Sergeant Jon Stiles Drive); expected completion date December 2017

The Colorado solar installations are part of Target’s goal to have 500 stores with rooftop solar panels by 2020, and the company will continue to look to expand its solar presence across the state and region.

Additionally, Target is committed to expanding its use of sustainable energy for its buildings, with the company also investing in wind energy partnerships. Target was also named an ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year in 2016, the highest honor from the Environmental Protection Agency for energy-efficient companies. Today, 76 percent of Target’s buildings are ENERGY STAR certified—more than any other retailer—which means all those buildings meet strict guidelines for energy use and greenhouse gas emissions.

“We are proud to be helping the state reach its clean energy goals with more than 10 percent of our stores in Colorado now outfitted with solar installations and we’re optimistic about growing our solar footprint in the state in the future. Target is committed to enriching the communities we serve, and operating energy-efficient and sustainable buildings is one way we are following through on that promise in Colorado,” said John Leisen, Vice President of Properties for Target.

Joel Newton

Joel has been a resident of Edgewater, Colorado with his family since 2012. He is the Executive Director of local education nonprofit Edgewater Collective and Editor of the Edgewater Echo.