SolarCity and Whole Foods announced an important deal today that will see up to 100 solar power systems installed at Whole Foods Markets across the country. SolarCity’s stock is up 7% following the news.
It’s not the first time Whole Foods decides to install rooftop solar at its locations, like the 186 kW array at the Austin store featured above, but it is the most important deal of its kind for the grocery store chain.
Once completed, these solar power systems are expected to place the company within the top 25 corporate solar users in the nation. It will also significantly increase SolarCity’s commercial business. The solar installer is mainly focusing on the residential market where it owns about a 36% market share.
SolarCity plans to begin installation this spring in locations such as Connecticut, New Jersey and New York.
The installations will be made possible through an investment fund established by Direct Energy and SolarCity:
“Direct Energy Business offers managed products with advisory services for a total energy strategy, and has a relationship with Whole Foods Market in some of their stores. Solar is integrated into that strategy as part of a collaboration to provide solar electricity directly to businesses through a dedicated investment fund established by Direct Energy and SolarCity.”
SolarCity made similar deals in the past with other important retail chains like Walmart, where it also installed Tesla battery packs for energy storage.
Featured Image: 186 kW array at Whole Foods Austin via SolarProfessional
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One would wonder what kind of deal here as the lease model is a loser for WF’s. They are far better buying outright as solar is running under $2k/kw now making power under $.05/kwhr.
Notice the panel arrangement with the number of east and west, early morning and late evening facing panels to broaden the output range and well into the ducks neck
Why are the not also changing the colour of their Parking Space,
this could could massively reduce temperatures – heat island effect of black tarmac.
Reducing the surrounding areas to heat up
OR even use Solar Canopies over the Parking Lots,
shading the Parking Space and get more useful Solar Panel Space
Solar canopies with charging points for EVs would be a good move.