With the East Coast solar installation, Kohl's is the largest retail host of solar power, and its distributed solar program is now the largest in the world among retailers. In a distributed solar program, silent, renewable energy is produced and used at the same location requiring no transmission infrastructure.

Kohl's has converted more than 25 of its 88 California locations to solar power with plans to activate approximately 50 additional sites in the state. Solar installations are also under way at three Wisconsin locations, and Kohl's hopes to add other states to its growing solar offering before year-end.

Initial construction for the East Coast solar conversions began in January. On average, solar panels provide 30 percent of a store's annual energy, or enough to power 54 homes annually. The total East Coast program is expected to offset 370 million pounds of carbon dioxide (CO2) over the 20-year program and is equivalent to removing more than 36,200 cars from the road for one year.

"Our solar program is one of many ways Kohl's is working to become a leading environmentally responsible retailer," said Ken Bonning, executive vice president of logistics for Kohl's. "We launched our California solar initiative one year ago and are excited to add East Coast locations to the program, making Kohl's distributed solar power program the largest in the world among retailers."

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), solar power is one of many green sources of power, which also include wind, geothermal and biogas. These power sources are partially or entirely generated from clean resources and are considered cleaner than conventional sources of electricity in part because of lower carbon dioxide emissions.

Kohl's strives to be a leading green retailer by maximizing energy efficiency, minimizing waste, improving new building design, reducing climate damaging emissions, and encouraging environmental values. Recently Kohl's opened a new state-of-the-art photo studio in Milwaukee that was constructed using the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) criteria.

In its May issue, Working Mother Magazine recognized Kohl's as one of the Best Green Companies for America's Children. In April 2007, Kohl's made the largest commitment to solar energy in U.S. history. Following that, the EPA recognized Kohl's with a Green Power Leadership Award for being the No. 2 retail purchaser of renewable energy.

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