Lowe's Heats Up Solar Power Usage

The home improvement retailer takes additional steps to reduce energy usage and meet its sustainability goals.

Store Brands | Greg Sleter
April 19, 2023

Home improvement retailer Lowe’s has taken another step toward meeting its goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions with the installation of rooftop solar panels at 174 stores and a distribution center. Officials with the retailer said each solar panel array will provide 90% of the energy usage at each location.

Through partnerships with DSD Renewables (DSD), Greenskies Clean Focus and Infiniti Energy, Lowe's rooftop solar panel installations span locations throughout California, Illinois and New Jersey. These investments will help Lowe's reduce its operational emissions and reach its goal of having its operations powered with 50% renewable energy by 2030, the retailer said.

"At Lowe's, we are focused on operating responsibly and reducing our impact on the environment," said Chris Cassell, Lowe's vice president of corporate sustainability. "Investing in renewable energy lowers operating costs and is an important step in reducing emissions associated with our stores and distribution centers. This initial rooftop solar portfolio is one example of the collaboration we seek with partners as we work toward our long-term and interim net-zero goals."

The rooftop solar portfolio of 174 locations includes:

• 20 stores in New Jersey that are currently operational through Infiniti Energy. Panel installations at six additional Lowe's stores in the state are in development and scheduled to be operational later this year.
• 55 stores in California as well as 36 stores and three distribution centers in Illinois planned in partnership with DSD. Construction is expected to begin at all sites by the end of 2023.
• 52 stores and two distribution centers in California, in partnership with Greenskies Clean Focus, scheduled to begin construction later this year.

This investment in rooftop solar panels builds on Lowe's recent sustainability progress, including achieving its 2025 goal of reducing scope 1 and scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 40% – relative to 2016 emissions levels – four years early.