Macy's Finds Solar Energy Is a Bright Idea
Solar energy is Macy’s next fashion statement.
Solar power will light up 28 Macy’s stores. The department-store chain’s first solar store debuted in Westminster, Calif., on Sept. 27.
The 1,900 glass panels taking up most of the space on the Westminster department store’s roof will provide 586,000 kilowatt hours of solar electricity per year. Macy’s claimed that its Westminster’s store reliance on the reportedly cleaner solar energy will make for a better environment. The use of solar electricity at the store will be equivalent to completely cutting the emissions of 37 cars for one year, according to a Macy’s statement.
The casual customer won’t notice a change in the luminescence of the store, according to Marc Gordon, vice president of operations for Macy’s West. “We know that it’s better lit,” Gordon said. However, there will be signs posted in the store telling customers that the Westminster location went solar.
Gordon declined to state how much money Macy’s spent in installing the solar panels. Yet if the state of California and utilities such as Southern California Edison did not make investments in the store’s solar panels, which may have defrayed 40 percent of the panels’ cost, Macy’s would not have been able to install the energy-creating devices, Gordon said.
Solar power is becoming a popular choice for major retailers. Wal-Mart and Target have reportedly started solar-power programs. On Sept. 26, Kohl’s announced that 63 of its 80 California locations will feature solar power.
A few retailers are opting to operate their own solar-electricity devices, according to Mike Taylor, technical-services manager of the Washington D.C.–based Solar Electric Power Association. Many others are opting to work with solar-electric companies such as Maryland-based Sun Edison to maintain their solar panels.
More environmental measures will be tested at Macy’s. Gordon said that the stores will test a biodegradable soap in their bathrooms. It will also offer a canvas shopping bag to consumers who want to forgo the plastic Macy’s bags. The canvas bags are scheduled to be available by the holidays.—Andrew Asch
