The Home Depot has recently declared that solar energy is set to account for nearly 8% of its total electricity consumption. This significant contribution will result from the acquisition of 100 MW of solar energy from National Grid Renewables, sourced from its solar and storage project in Denton County, TX, known as Noble. This particular solar farm represents National Grid Renewables’ largest solar energy project and its inaugural venture into utility-scale energy storage.
National Grid Renewables has further expanded its endeavors with the commencement of onsite construction at two new projects in southern Ohio. Upon completion, the Ross County Solar Project (Ross) and the Fayette Solar Project (Fayette) will jointly deliver 167.5 megawatts (MW) of clean solar power.
The Home Depot has committed to achieving 100% renewable electricity production or procurement equivalent to the electricity requirements for all its facilities by 2030. This pledge expands upon the company’s earlier commitment to generate or procure 335 megawatts of renewable or alternative energy by 2025.
Ron Jarvis, Chief Sustainability Officer for The Home Depot, emphasized the abundance of solar energy as a crucial resource, expressing the company’s progress toward the goal of obtaining 100% renewable electricity. He anticipates that approximately three-quarters of their alternative and renewable energy capacity will be derived from solar energy by the close of 2023.
Noble, situated in the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), is a 275 MW solar and 125 MW hour (MWh) energy storage project. It is projected to prevent 450,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually during its operational phase.
To reduce its carbon footprint, The Home Depot focuses on enhancing operational efficiency and investing in alternative energy solutions. Since 2010, the retailer has achieved a 50% reduction in electricity consumption in its U.S. stores. Currently, it operates rooftop solar farms in over 80 stores and electricity-generating fuel cells in more than 200 stores.
The Home Depot presently procures solar power from a 75 MW facility, with another 50 MW of solar capacity under contract. Additionally, the company purchases energy from a 50 MW wind facility. The combined annual renewable energy generation from these agreements is expected to be sufficient to power over 500 stores.