IKEA Australia adds solar power to energy mix

TORONTO, May 14 (UPI) -- Canadian Solar Inc. said Wednesday a partnership with IKEA in Australia for a 3.6-megawatt project is its largest commercial solar program to date.

The Canadian solar company, one of the largest in the world, said it would work with IKEA to install a combined 3.6 MW of solar power at seven retail outlets in Australia.

"This is the company's largest commercial PV project roll-out to date globally," the Canadian company said in a statement.

Combined, the solar utilities will offset approximately 4,000 tons of carbon dioxide each year.

Richard Wilson, a sustainability manager for IKEA in Australia, said the Swedish home-furnishing company aims to become energy independent by 2020 "and we're well on the way" through the addition of the solar installations.

In April, the company purchased a 98-MW wind farm in Illinois, which it said would more than satisfy its retail demand for electricity.