Coop builds new solar system on shopping center
Coop has installed a new photovoltaic system on the roof of its Friborg Süd shopping center in Villars-sur-Glâne. The shopping center uses 90 percent of the electricity from this directly on site for its refrigerated shelves and lighting.
The retail cooperative Coop has installed a photovoltaic system on the roof of the Friborg Süd shopping center. According to a press release , Coop has installed a total of 60 solar systems on the roofs of its supermarkets, shopping centres, production facilities and distribution centers since 2016. The commitment is part of a new sustainability strategy for the Basel-based company.
At 4,300 square meters, the new facility in Villars-sur-Glâne is one of the largest at Coop to date. All systems together result in an area of 115,000 square meters of solar cells. They produce 19 million kilowatt hours of electricity a year. According to the information, this corresponds to the annual electricity consumption of 5800 households.
Coop uses the electricity to supply its own infrastructure in the sales outlets, including refrigerated shelves and lighting. The Friborg South location uses 90 percent of its solar power.
In the future, Coop wants to switch to 100 percent electricity from renewable energy sources. As part of its sustainability strategy, the cooperative also wants to reduce its direct CO2 emissions by 20 percent by 2026. Furthermore, Coop wants to expand the transport of goods by rail and implement projects to reduce carbon dioxide along the supply chain.