November 5, 2009
http://www.environmentalleader.com/2009/11/05/wal-mart-adding-leds-to-650-stores/

Wal-Mart Adding LEDs to 650 Stores

Megaretailer Wal-Mart Stores Inc. plans to use LED lights inside 650 new and renovated stores.

Cree Inc. has been selected to handle the installation, which involves replacing ceramic metal halide in the produce and electronics department, according to a press release.

Wal-Mart is going with Cree’s LRP-38, a PAR38 style LED lamp, which is designed to last 50,000 hours and consume 82 percent less energy than the 70-watt ceramic metal halide bulbs it replaces.

The lighting retrofit comes as part of Wal-Mart’s Project Impact, which will see through a remodeling and repositioning of many locations. Wal-Mart already has remodeled about 30 percent of U.S. stores and plans to have remodeled or built out 70 percent of its stores to the new standard by 2012.

Wal-Mart is looking to a host of options as it seeks to reduce energy use.

Wal-Mart’s goal to double the amount of solar power it uses over the next 18 months. In April, Wal-Mart installed solar at 18 Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club stores, along with two warehouses in California and Hawaii. It also has rooftop installations underway at 10 to 20 stores and distribution centers in California.

The company also has added solar to facilities in Puerto Rico.