Walgreens Locations in Colorado Obtaining Solar Power

Walgreens has announced plans to expand its renewable energy initiative to Colorado. SolarCity, a provider of clean energy solutions, will install solar systems at 22 Walgreens stores across 14 different cities in Colorado in the coming months. The first Walgreens to receive the upgrade is on Smoky Hill Road in Aurora. Additionally, stores in Arvada, Boulder, Centennial, Dillion, Englewood, Erie, Grand Junction, Lakewood, Littleton, Sterling and Thornton are scheduled to get the solar panels throughout the remainder of the year.

According to Solar Energy Industries Association, Walgreens ranked as the second leading retailer in the United States in utilization of renewable energy at its stores. The new solar systems cumulatively will reduce more than 47.5 million pounds of carbon dioxide emissions over the next 20 years, which is comparable to planting 25,711 trees.

Walgreens began implementing its solar energy process in 2007 at many of its retail stores across the country. As mentioned in last month’s insight regarding the nation’s first net-zero energy location, Walgreens is attempting to reach the Department of Energy’s Better Buildings Challenge. As a participant in the initiative, the company has committed to reducing its energy use by 20% by the year 2020 across 125 million sq. ft. of its retail floor space.

In the Aurora-Denver, CO market, Walgreens is the leading pharmacy operator with 88 locations. It controls 41.4% of the prescription drug market share.

DENVER-AURORA-BROOMFIELD, CO CBSA*

*Source: 2012 Chain Store Guide Drug Industry Market Share Report