
Walgreens pharmacy is building what it calls America’s first “zero-energy” superstore. Located in Evanston, Illinois,, just 20 miles from its corporate headquarters, the store will use more than 800 solar panels, two wind turbines, and geothermal energy to power its superstore. Energy-efficient construction materials and LED lighting will help ensure the store’s energy requirements are met with no additional energy required from the grid (weather permitting of course). The green energy sources are estimated to generate 256,000 kilowatt hours of electricity each year while the store is estimated to consume 200,000 kWh. Any excess energy generated will be pushed back onto the grid.
“We are investing in developing a net-zero store so we can learn the best way to bring these features to our other stores,” said Thomas Connolly, Walgreens vice president of facilities development.