The Hanford Wal-Mart is part of a major solar-power experiment aimed at saving energy that could eventually spread to all the chain's stores and save more than 200 million customers money. The 554-kilowatt solar-power system that sits on the roof of the Hanford Wal-Mart is part of a pilot project at 22 Wal-Mart stores, Sam's Club locations and distribution centers throughout California and Hawaii aimed at replacing 7,000 to 8,000 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions per year.

Hanford's solar system, built by San Jose-based SunPower Corp., was completed Nov. 24 and is expected to generate about 15 percent of the store's electricity.

"The City of Hanford is proud that Wal-Mart has chosen our local Wal-Mart store to be part of their 22-store solar power pilot project," Hanford City Councilman Dave Thomas said in a statement. "Not only is the store's solar power system helping conserve energy, it's also helping reduce greenhouse gases -- something all Hanford residents can appreciate."

The solar power systems at Wal-Mart stores are the start of a long-term goal of saving more energy throughout the company, the planet's largest private employer with 7,390 stores worldwide.

"This helps Wal-Mart not only save money to our current utility rates by reducing energy costs and lowering green house gas emissions but also moves us closer to our goal of being supplied 100 percent with renewable energy," said Amelia Neufeld, spokeswoman for Wal-Mart.

Indeed, Wal-Mart facilities in Texas are already on a test using wind power.

Hanford is the most northern store in California to be part of the pilot solar-power project.

Hanford's site was chosen because of the good amount of sun in the area, and the angle of the store's roof that allows it to absorb the maximum amount of sun, Neufeld said.

All but two of the California Wal-Mart stores involved in the solar-power projects are in the Southland because of the region's sunny climate. The solar roofs are installed at stores in Santa Ana, Palm Desert, Chino, Glendora, Beaumont, Palm Springs, La Habra, Simi Valley, Lakewood, Orange, La Brea, Palmdale, Covina and Westminster. Porterville's distribution center is the closest to Hanford's store. Hawaii was also chosen for its sunshine.

As part of the test program, Wal-Mart will evaluate the solar systems' cost effectiveness, whether the solar panels work effectively and assess maintenance issues before expanding them to more stores, Neufeld said.

Local shoppers agree that the solar-power project will benefit customers in the long run.

"It saves energy and keeps the cost of doing business down, which will eventually trickle down to customers by keeping the price of merchandise down," said Shannon Chezick, 43, a sales marketing manager from Kingsburg.

The reporter can be reached at 583-2423.

(Dec. 20, 2008)