Wal-Mart will double its solar power

BENTONVILLE, Ark., April 22 (UPI) -- In celebration of Earth Day, U.S. company Wal-Mart announced it plans to as much as double the size of its solar-power initiative over the next 18 months.

The global retail giant will put rooftop solar arrays on 10 to 20 stores and distribution centers in California, USA Today reports.

Wal-Mart's projects will generate enough energy to power 2,600 homes per year and offset 22,500 tons of carbon dioxide emissions.

Wal-Mart will purchase the solar arrays under a 10-year power-purchase agreement with BP Solar, which will make, install, own and maintain the systems; Wal-Mart will pay for the power it uses.

Each store gets between 20 percent and 30 percent of its power from solar, David Ozment, Wal-Mart's energy director, told USA Today.