Wal-Mart Going Green

The word is out that Wal-Mart Stores Inc. mailed out requests for proposals to a select number of solar energy systems companies. The bids, which were to include menus of options, were due Jan. 5, and a winner is to be announced Feb. 28.
Wal-Mart would like to install the solar systems in five states: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii and New Jersey. The systems, which could utilize the roof space of stores, may be owned and maintained by the solar companies with an option to purchase by Wal-Mart.
Going with solar power should help take the edge of the company’s annual $1 billion power bill.
While RFPs don’t necessarily translate into execution, the potential is that Wal-Mart could easily accomplish the world’s largest commercial installation of solar power systems.