BROOKLYN, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--IKEA, the world’s leading home furnishings retailer, today announced that the solar energy system on its store in Brooklyn now is commissioned, operational and certified by Con Edison and New York City. As one of the largest commercial rooftop installations in the five boroughs, the 200 kW array occupies 19,000-square feet, with four different module types totaling 1,104 panels. IKEA Brooklyn will generate 240,000 kWh of renewable electricity annually for the store, the equivalent of reducing 365,615 pounds of carbon dioxide (CO2), eliminating the emissions of 32 cars, or providing electricity for 20 homes yearly (calculating clean energy equivalents at www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/energy-resources/calculator.html). This effort reinforces the IKEA commitment to sustainable business practices and reduces its carbon footprint.
“We are very excited about enhancing the sustainable contribution IKEA Brooklyn continues to make in the local community by generating electricity through solar panels atop our store,” said Mike Baker, store manager. “This initiative helps improve the environment and contributes to our vision of creating a better everyday life for the many.”
Other IKEA U.S. sustainable building initiatives include: solar energy systems operational in Burbank, CA; Pittsburgh, PA and Tempe, AZ – with installation underway on programs at seven locations in California and two other east coast stores: Paramus, NJ; and Stoughton MA; and both a solar energy and geothermal system were incorporated into the Denver-area store opening this year in Centennial, CO. IKEA, drawing from its Swedish heritage and respect of nature, believes it can be a good business while doing good business and strives for its operations to minimize impacts on the environment. Globally, IKEA evaluates all locations regularly for energy conservation opportunities, integrates innovative materials into product design, works with Global Forest Watch to maintain sustainable resources, and flat-packs goods for efficient distribution. Specific U.S. sustainable efforts include: recycling waste material (paper, wood, plastic, etc.); incorporating environmental measures into the construction of buildings in terms of energy-efficient HVAC and lighting systems, recycled construction materials, skylights in warehouse areas, and water conserving restrooms; and operationally, phasing out the sale of incandescent light bulbs and facilitating recycling of customers’ compact fluorescent bulbs. IKEA Brooklyn additionally has 70,000 s.f. of green roof, a 6.5-acre waterfront esplanade, multiple transit options, and has been certified as a Brownfield redevelopment. The store also has been awarded LEED® (Silver) established by the U.S. Green Building Council and verified by the Green Building Certification Institute.
The 346,000-square-foot IKEA Brooklyn opened June 18, 2008 on 22 acres along the Erie Basin waterfront in Red Hook, south of the BQE/Gowanus Expressway and southeast of the Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel. Transit options to the store include water taxi service from Pier 11, MTA B61 bus line which stops in front of IKEA Brooklyn, as well as a shuttle bus between the store and two local subway stops and Downtown Brooklyn’s Borough Hall. Customers can consult regular bus schedules for designated times. Bus stop locations at IKEA are marked with signs. Specific directions to IKEA Brooklyn are available online at IKEA-USA.com/Brooklyn under ‘How to get to IKEA Brooklyn.’
There currently are more than 300 IKEA stores in 38 countries, including 37 in the U.S. Since its 1943 founding in Sweden, IKEA, the world’s leading home furnishings company, has offered home furnishings and accessories of good design and quality at low prices so the majority of people can afford them. TIME listed IKEA as one of the top eight most global eco-conscious companies. IKEA incorporates sustainable efforts into day-to-day business and supports initiatives that benefit children and the environment. For more information, go to IKEA-USA.com.