IKEA to install Tennessee’s largest solar rooftop array on its Memphis store

Swedish home furnishing retailer, IKEA has announced plans to install a solar energy system atop its Memphis store opening late Fall 2016.

It is said be the largest rooftop solar array in the State of Tennessee. The 271,000 square-foot future IKEA Memphis, including approximately 800 parking spaces, will be built on 35 acres in the Wolfchase Corridor.

The store’s 250,675-square-foot solar array will consist of a 1.46 MW system, built with 4,424 panels, and will produce approximately 2,000,000 kWh of electricity annually for the store.

For the development, design and installation of IKEA Memphis’ customized solar power system, IKEA selected Hannah Solar, an Atlanta-based certified solar integrator.

“We are excited about furthering our sustainability commitment with solar panels on the future Memphis store,” said Lars Petersson, IKEA U.S. president. “At IKEA, we have a mission to create a better everyday life for the many, and IKEA Memphis can add to this goal with Tennessee’s largest rooftop solar array.”

The retailer in a statement said this installation will represent the 44th solar project for IKEA in the United States, contributing to the IKEA solar presence atop nearly 90% of its U.S. locations, with a total generation goal of more than 40 MW.

IKEA owns and operates each of its solar PV energy systems atop its buildings – as opposed to a solar lease or PPA (power purchase agreement) – and globally allocated $2.5 billion to invest in renewable energy through 2020, reinforcing its confidence and investment in solar photovoltaic technology. IKEA has installed more than 700,000 solar panels on buildings across the world and owns approximately 300 wind turbines, including 104 in the U.S.