Solar Panels for 30 Stores

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SUPERVALU TO INVEST OVER €3M IN SOLAR PANELS FOR 30 STORES

Retailer to introduce energy-efficient scheme as part of two-year plan

28 October, 2018 – SuperValu, Ireland’s leading grocery retailer, has announced an innovative plan to introduce solar panels to up to 30 of its stores over the next two years. The retailer will install the energy-efficient PV panels to its store network as part of an investment of over €3 million.

The move to introduce solar panels is part of SuperValu’s commitment to the reduction of energy consumption across its estate by 20% over the next two years. Once installed, the solar PV panels will generate electricity from the sun and will feed directly into the electricity supply to the store. This will offset some 60,000 kg of CO² annually per store.

Apart from providing electricity to each store, some of the electricity generated by the solar panels will also be used to supply energy to electric car charging points at selected stores.

Speaking at the launch of the plan at SuperValu Fermoy, Cork, Daniel Murphy, Sustainability Manager, SuperValu, said, “I am delighted to announce the launch of SuperValu’s plan to introduce solar panels to 30 stores. It will greatly reduce energy consumption across the store network and means that SuperValu retailers serve their communities in a more sustainable manner. This investment in solar panels demonstrates once again that as a community-focused retailer, SuperValu has taken a leadership position on sustainability.”

While SuperValu Baltinglass and SuperValu Portlaoise installed solar panels in recent years, SuperValu Fermoy is the first SuperValu store in the country to install solar PV panels as part of the sustainability initiative. To assist with the project, retailer Michael Riordan from SuperValu Fermoy received grant funding for the project under the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) Better Energy Communities grant scheme.

Speaking at his SuperValu store in Fermoy, Mr Riordan commented, “As a retailer who works and lives in Fermoy, I am passionate about supporting local charities and sporting organisations. I am also conscious that as a business with deep roots in Fermoy, Riordan’s needs to reduce its impact on the local community. This is why I am delighted to install solar panels to SuperValu Fermoy. It will greatly reduce the store’s energy consumption, but more importantly, it will help to make Fermoy a great place for future generations to work and live.

SuperValu has become the leading brands in Ireland in the area of energy reduction, thanks its strong track record of introducing energy-efficient equipment to its independent stores. These initiatives include retrofitting energy-saving doors to refrigeration cabinets in 40% of its stores and installing LED lighting in over 60% of its store estate.