Lowe’s to install solar on 50+ store roofs

The Lowe’s Companies announced plans to install 48 MW of rooftop solar on 52 stores and 2 distribution centers in California. In total, the solar projects slated to be installed by a Connecticut-based solar developer, Greenskies Clean Focus, are projected to generate 76 GWh per year, providing 90% of the energy usage at each Lowe’s location.

According to Environment America Research & Policy Center’s 2022 report, Solar on Superstores, Lowe’s has 208 million square feet of rooftop space. If Lowe’s installed solar on all its rooftops, the company could generate 2,382.3 GWh of power per year, enough energy to power more than 223,000 homes. Lowe’s ranks fourth behind Walmart, Target and Home Depot when it comes to rooftop solar potential among big box stores, according to the report. 

“It’s exciting to see Lowe’s begin to tap the solar potential of store rooftops”, said Johanna Neumann, Senior Director of Environment America’s Campaign for 100% Renewable Energy. “The sooner a larger retailer like Lowe’s or Walmart commits to solar nationwide, the sooner it will help bring about the very necessary transformation of using America’s vast flat rooftops to harness clean energy from the sun.”