Target meets 2020 goal to install 500 rooftop solar arrays ahead of schedule

US-based retail giant Target has met its 2020 goal of installing rooftop solar at 500 locations ahead of schedule, as it strives to source 100% renewable electricity across its global operations by 2030.


Target meets 2020 goal to install 500 rooftop solar arrays ahead of schedule

Pictured: Target's store in Napa Valley

The firm posted the achievement after completing the installation of a solar array on its Napa Valley store in California. The design process for this particular array began this spring.

While Target has not posted specifics on the number of PV panels or the generation capacity of the new array, it claims that 241 MW of solar are now installed across its stores and distribution centres. Each array provides between 15-40% of the facility’s energy needs.

These arrays, combined with a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with a Texan wind farm that covers 60 stores, mean that Target is now sourcing 25% of the electricity used annually across its global operations for renewables. In 2018, the retailer set an ambition to transition to 100% renewable electricity by 2030.

“For years, Target has led the way on corporate solar adoption, helping to create a cultural shift in how top companies power their operations,” the Solar Energy Industries Association’s president and chief executive Abigail Ross Hopper said.

“Companies such as Target have the power to make lasting change and we’re thrilled to see Target double down on their commitment to solar energy.”

Target’s energy and carbon commitments are underpinned by its 2C-aligned science-based targets. The company is aiming to reduce its absolute GHG emissions by 30% by 2030, against a 2017 baseline, as it helps suppliers to gain approval from the Science-Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) for its own carbon goals.

The efforts to support suppliers were timely; they were announced shortly after the publication of CDP research revealing that emissions in the retail supply chain are, on average, seven times greater than those from a company’s direct emissions.

Powering ahead

Between January and August 2019, US-based corporates collectively signed contracts for 5.95 GW of renewable energy, compared to 6.2GW during the whole of 2018.

According to Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF), this meant that US firms accounted for 69% of all corporate renewable activity during this period. On a global scale, the organisation is predicting that corporate renewable energy purchasing will reach a record high by the end of the year.

Sarah George

Comments (1)

  1. Andrew Wertheim says:

    This is awesome and all, but that picture is of the Target in Asheville, NC, not Napa Valley. You can check the arial image from Google Maps… https://www.google.com/maps/place/Asheville,+NC/@35.5731725,-82.5228346,417m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x88598ca93c0f6f09:0x94ef31c106343a5d!8m2!3d35.5950581!4d-82.5514869

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