Colorado’s big box store roofs can generate enough solar energy to power 162,100 homes

Covering the state’s retail and grocery stores with solar panels would be a win for the environment, consumers and business

Environment Colorado

New Report: Colorado’s big box store roofs can generate enough solar energy to power 162,100 homes

Covering the state’s retail and grocery stores with solar panels would be a win for the environment, consumers and business

DENVER – Big box retail stores can help Colorado increase its clean energy production, according to a new report from Environment Colorado Research & Policy Center and Frontier Group. Solar on Superstores: Big Roofs, Big Potential for Renewable Energy calculates that the 1916 big box buildings in the state can offset 1,234,200 metric tons of global warming pollution by just putting solar panels on their roofs. That’s the equivalent of taking 268,414 cars off the road. The energy produced by these solar roofs is also enough to power 162,100 average homes and could meet 3.1% of the state’s total electricity demand.

“We need to quickly transition from fossil fuels to 100% renewable energy and every person and business has the ability to contribute – including some of our state’s biggest retailers,” said Rex Wilmouth, Senior Program Director of Environment Colorado. “Leveraging the unused roofs and parking lots of our big box stores for solar can make a significant difference.”

The report also finds that installing solar on big box stores can provide numerous other benefits in Colorado beyond just the environment. These include a more resilient energy grid, cost savings for electricity consumers and cleaner air quality. For high-profile brands such as Walmart, Target and The Home Depot, installing solar panels offers a difference-making opportunity in local communities. For that reason, Environment Colorado Research & Policy Center, along with its national partner Environment America Research & Policy Center, launched a campaign in 2021 calling on Walmart to install solar panels on all of its viable roofs and parking lots by 2035.

“Big companies like Walmart have the chance to shine in the much-needed renewable energy transition,” said Wade Wilson, who runs the Solar on Superstores campaign for Environment America Research & Policy Center. “There are 105 Walmart locations in Colorado. Each store has a big, flat, unobstructed roof, which is ideal for generating solar energy. We know this would be a win for the environment and for business, and that’s why we’re calling on Walmart to go big on solar.”

Along with providing national and state data, the report recommends a number of public policies for states to pursue. These include extending state-level solar energy tax credits, championing community solar programs and streamlining solar permitting by leaning on tools like the Department of Energy’s SolarAPP+. 

“Combining public policy and private initiatives can make solar on superstores a reality,” said Wilmouth. “It’s our organization’s mission to protect Colorado’s environment for present and future generations. Covering our state’s big box stores with solar panels will help us do just that.”

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