Costco...my favorite weekend hangout!
One of my favorite places to shop is Costco. Yes, its a warehouse, and yes, there is nothing fancy about the experience, but I absolutely love finding bargains (a cashmere sweater for $59!, $50 of iTunes for only $45!) Massively huge shopping carts just beg to be filled with giant tubs of peanut butter and vats of ice cream. Add in the fact that Costco was “born” in Seattle, Washington (my original hometown), and I feel a sense of pride when I read about the corporation’s success.
Like many Northwest corporations, Costco appears to have embraced the idea of going green. I have reviewed a number of press releases about Costco solar panel systems, at some of its numerous locations across the United States.
For example, I read that in 2007, Costco installed a solar-powered energy system at its Lake Elsinore, California warehouse. A 45,000 square foot installation from SunEdison, can supply over 725,000 kWh of energy each year, which will save the corporation about $3.8 million in energy costs over 25 years (the expected life of the system).
Last year, Costco announced that 6 stores in Hawaii and California have been fitted with solar panels, and an additional 7 stores are slated to be outfitted with them. In Hawaii, the two Costco warehouses represent the largest solar arrays in the state.
What is 13 times $4 million? True, there is some cost with the installations of the Costco solar panel systems.
The panels cost about $745,000 per store, and Costco typically doesn’t make that money back for three to five years. [Costco's SEO, Jim Sinegal observes, however] “We recognize, like all businesses, that we must continue to conserve and save the planet.”
Not only is Costco helping to save the planet, but its tremendous energy savings, can be passed along to customers like you and me! Costco may even hire more smiling food sample clerks to ensure that you never leave the warehouse hungry…
Costco is also committed to helping you go green. At some of its warehouses, you can purchase solar panels to install yourself, and they often have helpful demonstrations. Other solar products are also available. You can shop in both the U.S. and Canada (as well as online at Costco.com) to find solar products.
Costco is big! Big warehouses, big products, big savings, and now… big environmental impact reduction. That brings a big smile to my face.
Tags: costco solar panel systems, costco solar panels, costco warehouse
[...] to buy solar panels is a home improvement store or warehouse, like Lowe’s, Home Depot or Costco. There, you’ll find knowledgeable people and discount rates on new solar panels. You may [...]