Walgreens Installs Solar at Ohio Stores

Retail pharmacy chain Walgreens (Deerfield, Ill.) is adding 90 solar systems to its stores throughout Ohio. More than half will be completed by the middle of November, bringing Walgreens' total number of solar stores to 136.

Solar developer, SoCore Energy (Chicago) will own and install the systems, which will have a total capacity of about 2 megawatts (MW). Walgreens will lease the arrays from SoCore for 10 years.

In May, the Ohio Air Quality Development Authority gave SoCore a $5.2 million loan for the 53 rooftop solar systems across the state, according to SustainableBusiness.com News. The $9.9 million project is also being funded by SoCore and a federal solar tax credit.

“Walgreens' impressive sustainability efforts include this substantial commitment to solar power and on-site renewable energy,” says Pete Kadens, SoCore Energy president. “These projects are certainly indicative of Walgreens intent to be one of the most environmentally considerate retailers in the world.”