As part of the CLEAN LA Solar initiative, the wildly popular apparel store Forever 21 has committed to installing the nation’s largest single rooftop solar power system at their LA headquarters. Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, and Forever 21 Founder/CEO Do Won Chang gathered to ceremoniously install the first panel at a groundbreaking event on May 9.
CLEAN LA Solar is a revolutionary new energy program that supplies zero-carbon, renewable energy to Los Angeles by taking advantage of the vast, underutilized rooftop space in the area. Launched in 2013, CLEAN LA Solar will be the largest urban rooftop solar program in the United States—and is already being hailed as a model for the nation.
The fashion retailer’s 5.1 megawatt solar power system, designed and built by PermaCity, makes Forever 21 the first to take advantage of both LADWP’s Solar Photovoltaic Incentive Program and Feed-in Tariff (FiT) Program on one site. The incentive program compensates customers who purchase and install their own systems; the FiT program allows businesses and commercial property-owners to generate energy for the city’s power grid through rooftop solar panels, and sell the power back to LADWP.
Currently, most of the city’s renewable power is generated outside the LA basin and transmitted inefficiently to customers. By contrast, the CLEAN LA Solar program incentivizes clean-energy production within city limits. The result will be more efficient power delivery and a reduction in the city’s reliance on polluting, coal-fired power plants.
The impact of Forever 21’s commitment is significant. PermaCity estimates the system will help keep nearly 13 million pounds of carbon dioxide out of the air each year, which is the equivalent of taking 1,200 cars off the road. It also puts Los Angeles one giant step closer to its goal of generating 33% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2020.
For more information, visit cleanlasolar.com
