Wal-Mart solar power initiative showcases California store

Wal-Mart and BP Solar have teamed up to install solar power systems a store in California. Part of a larger solar power pilot project, the first installed system is at a store in Santa Ana, CA, and the expected output of all systems is more than 20 million kilowatt-hours per year, enough to power up to 30% of the California stores’ needs. For a solar power initiative unveiled in May 2007, Wal-Mart announced a major purchase of solar power from three solar power providers, SunEdison LLC, BP Solar, and PowerLight, a subsidiary of SunPower Corporation, for 22 combined Wal-Mart locations in California and Hawaii, marking its largest step to date in achieving a goal of being supplied by 100 percent renewable energy.