Dive Brief:
- Hy-Vee announced Friday the completion of its solar project with Alliant Energy in Chariton, Iowa.
- The Hy-Vee Chariton Solar Field will generate enough energy to power 360 homes annually, according to the press release.
- Hy-Vee noted that the solar field advances its sustainability objectives and marks another project with Alliant Energy.
Dive Insight:
The grocer and energy company started the Hy-Vee Chariton Solar Field project in 2023.
An on-site apiary — where beehives are kept — will study how the presence of various native plants helps sustain bee colonies, according to the press release. Iowa State University researchers are operating the apiary in its initial stages and then local resources will manage it.
Hy-Vee and Alliant Energy are also piloting a fleet of 30 electric refrigerated trailers to deliver perishable items to the grocer’s Iowa stores. Powered by electricity rather than diesel, the cooling systems on the new trailers allow for “quieter idling near stores, a lower environmental impact and increased operational efficiency,” Hy-Vee said.
In its 2023 Corporate Social Responsibility Report, Hy-Vee said that it is investing in solar energy projects to offset electrical usage, noting that many of its new Fast & Fresh locations use solar energy and its Midwest Heritage bank location in Grimes, Iowa, has solar panels that can generate up to 40 kilowatt-hours of power annually.
In 2022, the grocer added solar panels that can generate more than 937 kilowatt-hours of power annually as part of a more than 175,000-square-foot cold storage expansion at Perishable Distributors of Iowa.
Solar panels have become more affordable in recent years, making them a more viable option for companies. United Natural Foods, Inc. is planning to build a solar installation at a distribution center in fiscal year 2024 that will be bigger than its largest solar array, which was completed in 2023. Kroger and Meijer have also installed solar panels in recent years.
