Walmart Completes 10 Solar Installations in Md.

Walmart and SolarCity have completed projects at eight Walmart stores and two Sam’s Clubs across the state of Maryland. The energy produced by the new installations will generate about 4.1 million kilowatt-hours of electricity annually -- enough energy to power almost 370 homes, according to the EPA calculator -- and is expected to provide between 5 percent and 20 percent of each store’s overall electricity use.

“In Maryland, we’ve set some of the most ambitious goals in the nation for advancing clean renewable energy and creating green jobs,” said Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley. “We’re helping businesses take advantage of solar incentives so they can save money while embracing the job-creating, planet-saving potential of our green economy.” He called the Walmart-SolarCity partnership “a significant step forward toward a more sustainable future for generations to come.”

With more than 13,400 solar panels, the Walmart stores in Arbutus, Berlin, California, Cockeysville, Fallston, Hagerstown, Laurel and Severn, along with the Sam’s Clubs in Salisbury and Severn, will provide more than 3.1 megawatts of generation capacity.

“Walmart is a leader in clean energy here in Maryland and across the country,” noted Lyndon Rive, CEO of San Mateo, Calif.-based SolarCity. “Walmart is setting an example for companies in Maryland to follow; it’s possible for many Maryland businesses to pay less for solar power than they currently pay for electricity.”

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While I am no fan of Wal Mart, this is a positive step that hopefully other businesses will choose to do.