GRAND PRAIRIE, TX—In what will be the fourth IKEA solar array in Texas, the Swedish retailer has plans to install solar panels atop its future Grand Prairie store opening this fall as the company's second Dallas-Fort Worth-area store. Panel installation will begin this summer with completion expected in early fall.

The 290,000-square-foot future IKEA store's 181,500-square-foot solar array will consist of a 1.25 MW system, built with 2,800 large format panels, producing approximately 2,000,000 kWh of electricity annually for the store, the equivalent of reducing 1,406 tons of carbon dioxide (CO₂). This is equal to the emissions of 197 cars or providing electricity for 208 homes yearly, according to the EPA's clean energy equivalent calculations.

For the development, design and installation of the new store's solar power system, IKEA selected SunPower. MYCON General Contractors is building the store that will reflect the same recognized architectural design for which IKEA stores are known.

“IKEA has a mission to create a better everyday life for the many, and IKEA Grand Prairie can add to this goal while also keeping us the largest non-utility private solar owner in Texas,” said Lars Petersson, IKEA US president. “We are excited about furthering our sustainability commitment and a low-carbon society with solar panels on this Grand Prairie store.”

This installation will represent the 48th solar project for IKEA in the United States, contributing to the IKEA solar presence at nearly 90% of its US locations, with a total generation of more than 42 MW. IKEA owns and operates each of its solar PV energy systems on its buildings and globally has allocated $2.5 billion to invest in renewable energy through 2020, reinforcing its confidence and investment in solar photovoltaic technology. Consistent with the goal of being energy independent by 2020, IKEA has installed more than 700,000 solar panels on buildings across the world and owns approximately 300 wind turbines, including 104 in the United States.

“All other IKEA stores in Texas have solar: Houston, Round Rock and Frisco–the other DFW-area store,” Joseph Roth, of IKEA US expansion/property public affairs, tells GlobeSt.com. “California has eight IKEA stores, seven of which have solar, and Florida currently already has four IKEA stores and all have solar. We actually purchase and own our solar energy systems. Most other companies either lease their roofs or participate in power purchase agreements.”

IKEA, drawing from its Swedish heritage and respect of nature, believes in minimizing impacts on the environment. Globally, IKEA evaluates locations regularly for conservation opportunities, integrates innovative materials into product design, works to maintain sustainable resources and flat-packs goods for efficient distribution. Specific US sustainable efforts include recycling waste material, incorporating environmental measures into the buildings with energy-efficient HVAC and lighting systems, recycled construction materials, skylights in warehouse areas and water-conserving restrooms, eliminating plastic bags from the check-out process, and selling only LED bulbs. IKEA has installed electric vehicle charging stations at 16 stores, with more locations planned.

The future Grand Prairie IKEA will include 1,100 parking spaces and be built on 30 acres along the eastern side of State Highway 161 and Mayfield Road, north of Interstate 20. Other Texas IKEA stores are in Frisco, Houston and Round Rock, with a San Antonio-area store planned for summer 2019 in Live Oak and a Fort Worth store to open as the third DFW-area location, also in summer 2019.

Instant Insights /

48th Solar Project for IKEA is Fourth in State

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