Walmart Expands Solar Installations in Hawaii

Kahului, Kailua-Kona and Kapolei Walmart stores now receive solar power

Walmart and SunEdison today announced the completion of new solar power installations in the islands at three Walmart stores in Kahului, Kailua-Kona and Kapolei, doubling the total number of stores in Hawaii powered by renewable solar energy. The installations contribute to the company’s broader aspirational goal of being supplied 100 percent by renewable energy. Similar installations are already in operation atop the Honolulu Sam’s Club and Mililani Walmart on Oahu, and the Lihue Walmart on Kauai.

During the first full year of production, the 311 kilowatt solar power rooftop system on each store will produce more than 400,000 kilowatt hours (kWh) of solar electricity. Each rooftop system will eliminate 320 metric tons of CO2e annually. That means the three systems combined, over a 10-year period will eliminate 9600 metric tons. One year of operation for each rooftop system is equivalent to removing 67 cars off the road for one year. That means the three systems combined will remove the equivalent of 2,010 cars over a 10-year period.

‘We are committed to making decisions that are not only good for business and the environment, but also allow us to pass on savings to our customers,’ said Rey Armijo, Hawaii Market Manager for Walmart. ‘We’re excited about the expansion of our solar program in the islands and this important step towards our goal of being supplied 100 percent by renewable energy.’

‘Fantastic!  I congratulate Walmart for making this wise decision to reduce their electricity bills and do good for the environment through solar PV,’ said Senate Energy & Environment Committee Chair and State Senator Mike Gabbard.

Learn more about Walmart’s commitment to sustainability at The Green Room and follow us on Twitter (@WalmartGreen) to get updates about sustainability efforts and milestones. Additional information about our commitment to renewable energy is also available on our website.

 

 

Black Friday 2012 Kicks Off on the Mainland – My Rant

Well I’m going to start “ranting” on my site every now and then and tonight’s rant is about crazy Black Friday shoppers.

Shoppers go crazy at a Wal-Mart as Black Friday 2012 Begins

I’ve never once participated in this annual ritual where folks head out to Wal-Mart, Best Buy, Malls and other places that offer Black Friday specials.

To me… it’s just not worth the hassle of standing in line and then fighting the chaos once you get in the store.

It also seems that many of the folks that are participating in this ritual… are purchasing things for themselves and not others!  Why else would you wait so long for a certain price on something and then go crazy on a night just to get it?  You can find gifts for other people without fighting this madness!

Here is a video that was uploaded a few minutes ago from the mainland at a Wal-Mart store:

Related articles

• Black Thursday instead of Black Friday? (juiciestdeals.com)
• Wal-Mart employees to stage Black Friday protest against “employer retaliation” (fox6now.com)
• Wal-Mart strike could put damper on Black Friday (wjla.com)
• Mobile shoppers forgo Black Friday for Black Thursday – Thanksgiving Day deals (al.com)
• Boycott Wal-Mart on Black Friday (occupiednationobr.wordpress.com)
• What the Hell Is Black Friday For? (jezebel.com)
• Keep Black Friday safe: Near trampling of Muskegon teen last Thanksgiving night puts shopping into perspective (mlive.com)

Black Friday: Midnight Arrives and Chaos Begins at Walmart Keeaumoku

Video from John Garcia: