Construction of the largest solar energy power station in the Maryland has been completed by Home Depot, as the company rings in the New Year with a much welcome green renewable energy initiative.

In January, the Staples fulfillment center located in Hanover, Maryland unveiled an incredible photovoltaic installation that has been the result of a partnership between the large retail company and SunEdison.  The rooftop solar panels cover an area of 175,000 square feet.

Staples invest in solar panels

The solar panels, which cover almost all of the 200,200 square feet of rooftop should be able to generate around 1.2 million kilowatt hours worth of electricity.  In addition to this, the solar power installation emits no pollution and zero carbon emissions.  The project should reduce carbon emissions by more than 43 million pounds over the next twenty years.  This is the equivalent of removing 4,200 cars, each driving 12,000 miles per year, from our roads.

The solar energy power station installed at the Hanover Staples fulfillment center is the latest example of the company’s long term commitment to a green, environmentally friendly policy.  According to the vice president of environmental affairs at Staples, Mark Buckley, the relationship with solar services provider SunEdison, has allowed the company to buy solar energy generated on the roof of their own building at a rate equal to, or below, the cost of buying electricity from the grid.

Staples should be applauded for taking this step.  The partnership with SunEdison has provided the necessary funding to complete the project, but without the will from the company the project would never get off the ground.  Almost all retail outlets have roof space of some type available.  Some areas are obviously better than others for capturing energy from the sun, but it would be nice to see U.S. corporations following the Staples example in the states that are most suitable for solar panels.

You know, from now on. I might just do my shopping at Staples.