Retail giant Target unveiled its first net zero energy store today in Vista, California, which will generate more renewable energy than it uses, and will test emissions reduction innovations. Target said that the store’s retrofit and new features will inform its investment in new stores and remodel programs.

The net zero store will generate energy through 3,420 solar panels across its roofs and carport canopies. Target stated that site is expected to generate up to a 10% energy surplus each year that it can transmit back to the local power grid. The building will also power its HVAC heating through rooftop solar panels, instead of natural gas, and it has switched to CO2 refrigeration, a natural refrigerant that Target will scale chain-wide by 2040 to reduce its direct operations’ emissions by 20%.

Target stated that innovations in its stores and facilities support its sustainability strategy, “Target Forward”, which includes goals to achieve net zero GHG emissions enterprise-wide by 2040 and to source 100% of its electricity from renewable sources for its operations by 2030.

John Conlin, Senior Vice President of Properties, Target, said:

“We’ve been working for years at Target to shift toward sourcing more renewable energy and further reducing our carbon footprint, and our Vista store’s retrofit is the next step in our sustainability journey and a glimpse of the future we’re working toward. Our new stores and remodel programs are designed to help achieve our sustainability goals as we test, learn and scale our innovations over time across our operations.”

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