Lowe’s pursues aggressive solar plan

Lowe’s Companies Inc. is installing rooftop solar panels at stores and distribution centers across the country.

In line with its goal to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, Lowe's is implementing rooftop solar panels at 174 store and distribution center locations nationwide, including 20 sites currently in operation. Once each site is completed, Lowe’s expects the solar panels to provide approximately 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 will span locations throughout California, Illinois and New Jersey. The company expects these investments to help reduce its operational emissions and reach its goal of powering operations with 50% renewable energy by 2030.

[Read more: Lowe’s sets new net-zero emissions goal]

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 in 2023.

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.

About three-quarters (74%) of the retailer’s strategic suppliers had sustainability goals in place in 2021.In 2021 alone, Lowe’s says it helped customers save 34.6 million metric tons in greenhouse gas emissions from the sale of Energy Star-certified products over their lifetime.

"At Lowe's, we are focused on operating responsibly and reducing our impact on the environment," said Chris Cassell, Lowe's VP 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."

Based in Mooresville, N.C., Lowe's Companies Inc. operates over 1,700 home improvement stores across the U.S. and employs approximately 300,000 associates.