Kohl's Department Stores Announces Plans to Go Solar at 10 Colorado Stores

Apr 20, 2010 - Business Wire - energycentral.com

Kohl's Department Stores (NYSE: KSS), the largest retail host of solar power in North America, today announced plans to convert 10 of its 23 Colorado Kohl's stores to solar power by the end of this year. Colorado will be the seventh state to have Kohl's locations with solar panels. Kohl's also has solar locations in California, Connecticut, Maryland, New Jersey, Oregon and Wisconsin.

"We are very pleased to expand our solar program into Colorado and enhance our commitment to the use and support of clean, renewable energy sources," said Ken Bonning, Kohl's executive vice president of store planning and logistics. "Solar is an integral component of our environmental efforts and contributes toward our goal of being carbon neutral by the end of this year. We will continue to explore new opportunities to utilize solar power at our facilities nationwide."

Solar installations are currently complete or underway at four initial Kohl's stores throughout Colorado -- Southwest Denver, Thornton, Aurora East and Arapahoe Crossing. Six additional locations are in the planning phase and will begin construction in the coming months. Each store will have more than 530 solar panels that together generate 112 kW -- approximately 15 percent of the store's energy. Once solar panels at all 10 initial Colorado stores are active, they are expected to collectively generate approximately 1.6 million kWh annually -- the equivalent of powering 153 homes for a year.

Kohl's began its solar program in California in 2007 with the activation of solar panels at its Laguna Niguel store. The company currently has 86 solar locations nationwide with the near-term goal of reaching 100 locations in the coming months.

Kohl's Environmental Leadership

Energy efficiency, including solar, energy management and green power, continues to be a key focus for Kohl's as the company works to reduce its environmental footprint.

A 2010 EPA ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year, Kohl's has more than 450 ENERGY STAR-labeled stores nationwide and installs central energy management systems at all stores that operate most of the interior and exterior lighting, as well as heating and cooling systems efficiently.

As of January 2010, Kohl's purchased enough green power to meet 100 percent of its purchased electricity use companywide. These efforts were recognized by EPA, which named Kohl's a 2009 Green Power Partner of the Year. Kohl's was also ranked as the number one green retailer according to Newsweek's 2009 Green Rankings.

Additional information about Kohl's environmental initiatives -- including energy efficiency, building design, recycling program and efforts to reduce emissions -- is available at www.kohlsgreenscene.com. To view active solar locations by state, visit http://www.kohlsgreenscene.com/StoreImpactMap/map.html.

About Kohl's Department Stores

Based in Menomonee Falls, Wis., Kohl's (NYSE: KSS) is a family-focused, value-oriented specialty department store offering moderately priced, exclusive and national brand apparel, shoes, accessories, beauty and home products in an exciting shopping environment. Kohl's operates 1,067 stores in 49 states. A company committed to the communities it serves, Kohl's has raised more than $126 million for children's initiatives nationwide through its Kohl's Cares for Kids® philanthropic program, which operates under Kohl's Cares, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Kohl's Department Stores, Inc. For a list of store locations and information, or for the added convenience of shopping online, visit www.kohls.com.

Editor's Note:

Colorado Kohl's Locations Currently Active or Under Construction:

Southwest Denver, 8444 S. Kipling Pkwy, Littleton, CO 80127

Thornton, 12090 Colorado Blvd, Thornton, CO 80241

Aurora East, 18307 E. Hampden Ave, Aurora, CO 80013

Arapahoe Crossing, 6584 S. Parker Rd, Aurora, CO 80016

Colorado Kohl's Locations Currently in Solar Planning Stage:

Westminster, 11875 Sheridan Blvd, Westminster, CO 80020

Louisville, 919 West Dillon Rd, Louisville, CO 80027

Greeley, 4224 Centerplace Drive, Greeley, CO 80634

Arvada, 15680 W. 64th Ave, Arvada, CO 80007

Aurora, 1350 S Ironton St. Unit 130, Aurora, CO 80012

Lone Tree, 8660 South Quebec St, Lone Tree, CO 80124