CANTON, MI (WNEM) -
IKEA has officially flipped the switch to its newest solar energy system installed at its Detroit-area store in Canton, which is the state's largest such photovoltaic array.
IKEA said its Canton program will produce approximately 1,114,943 kWh of clean electricity annually, the equivalent of reducing 769 tons of carbon dioxide, eliminating the emissions of 151 cars or powering 96 homes yearly.
The 122,200-square-foot PV array consists of a 977.6-kW system, built with 4,160 panels.
IKEA owns and operates each of its solar PV energy systems atop its buildings and this Canton installation represents the 20th completed solar energy project for IKEA in the United States. Another 19 more locations are currently building solar arrays atop their stores.
"We are thrilled at how this solar energy system furthers our commitment to sustainability at IKEA Canton," said Anton van Dongen, store manager. "IKEA has a never-ending job where most things remain to be done that encourages us always to ask ourselves how we can improve what we do today for a better tomorrow."
Located on 21 acres along Ford Road off I-275 at the intersection with Haggerty Road, the 311,000-square-foot IKEA Canton opened in June 2006. In addition to 10,000 exclusively designed items, the store presents 52 different room-settings, three model home interiors, a supervised children's play area, and a 350-seat restaurant serving Swedish specialties such as meatballs with lingonberries and salmon plates, as well as American dishes. Other family-friendly features include a Children's IKEA area in the Showroom, baby care rooms, preferred parking and play areas throughout the store.
There are currently more than 330 IKEA stores in 40 countries, including 38 in the U.S.
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