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Macy's, Inc. and SunPower are recognizing a decade-long partnership between the two companies that has resulted in SunPower® systems installed at or planned for 71 Macy's and Bloomingdale's locations in 10 states, totaling approximately 39MW. Fifty SunPower systems are operating to date, and the company is contracted to install its technology at 21 additional Macy's and Bloomingdale's facilities this year. Celebrations to mark Earth Day and this significant achievement are planned at Macy's Sacramento, Calif. store today, and tomorrow at Macy's store in Bowie, Md.
Macy's extraordinary commitment to solar power positioned the company in the top ten of 2015's U.S. corporate solar champions, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association. Including solar technology that was not installed by SunPower, solar arrays were installed on 78 Macy's, Inc. facilities by year-end 2015.
"We are so excited to partner with SunPower and join the fight against climate change," said Chuck Abt, Macy's senior vice president of operations and logistics. "Macy's is dedicated to giving back to local communities and, through this partnership, we continue to make a meaningful difference in improving the environment. This solar technology partnership is a major component of our sustainable practice and we are committed to improving our carbon footprint for years to come."
Of the 21 systems planned for Macy's facilities this year, 19 of them – or 13MW– will use the SunPower® Helix™ Roof product, the world's first fully-integrated rooftop solar solution for commercial customers. Helix is a pre-engineered, modular solution that is built to last, maximizes power production, and can be installed almost three times faster than competing technology, enabling customers to scale their solar programs quickly with minimal business disruption.
"We are honored to work closely with Macy's over the last decade and proud to have such a visionary solar power partner," said Howard Wenger, SunPower president, business units. "Macy's continues to demonstrate extraordinary leadership in sustainability and clean power for its business and the communities in which it operates. With SunPower's new Helix Roof product we can deliver even more value through innovation, benefiting customers with an exclusive combination of the most efficient solar panels installed at world record speed."
In addition to solar systems, SunPower is also providing Macy's with battery storage systems at three stores in Southern California. The energy storage technology is expected to help those locations further manage energy costs by offsetting demand charges incurred by commercial customers.
Macy's is financing the majority of the SunPower solar power systems on its stores through power purchase agreements, which allows the retailer to buy power at competitive rates that act as a hedge against future utility rate increases, with no upfront capital cost. Macy's does not own the renewable energy credits associated with most of the SunPower solar power systems installed on its facilities.
According to SunPower's calculations, the amount of power expected to be generated annually by the 71 SunPower solar power systems operating on and planned for Macy's facilities could power more than 15,000 electric vehicles for 30 years. According to estimates provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the carbon dioxide emissions avoided each year as a result of the power produced from the 71 installed and contracted SunPower solar power systems on Macy's facilities is equivalent to the CO2 emissions from more than 37 million pounds of coal burned, or almost 4 million gallons of gasoline consumed.
