Walmart Will Install Solar Panels on up to 60 Additional Stores in California by 2013

Walmart, the world's largest retailer, announced Wednesday that it will install solar panels on up to 60 additional stores in California by 2013 and, in the process, create hundreds of jobs. "California presents a great opportunity for Walmart to make significant progress toward our sustainability goals by installing solar power on more than 130 store rooftops throughout the state," Kim Saylors-Laster, Walmart vice president of energy, said in a statement. "Walmart has reduced energy expenses by more than a million dollars through our solar program, allowing us to pass these savings on to our customers in the form of everyday low prices." Through its partnership with California-based Solar City, which will own, install and maintain the solar panels, Walmart expects its solar portfolios to cover more than 75% of its Calif. stores. Its officials say the panels will provide 20% to 30% of each facility's total electric needs. They say the power generated will equal that used by more than 5,400 homes and it will cut carbon dioxide emissions equal to that burned by 4,100 cars each year. Source: content.usatoday.com