By Cathleen Twardzik

Somerville is becoming greener by the year. At Stop and Shop on McGrath Highway new solar panels were installed earlier this summer.

The supermarket chain recently announced that it has finished the panels’ installation on eight of its stores in Massachusetts, Connecticut and New Jersey.

In 2008, the installation of the first photo voltaic system occurred in a branch in Fairfield, CT. The remaining seven locations followed.

“The project was an internal initiative and part of Stop & Shop’s commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship,” said Jihad Rizkallah, LEED AP, V.P. of Design and Engineering for Stop & Shop Supermarket Co., LLC.

The solar panels will reduce the amount of energy consumed by those stores by more than seven percent.  Using 2008 as a base, the completion furthers the company’s commitment to reduce its carbon footprint by 20 percent by the year 2015.

The photo voltaic solar power generating systems were developed by Alteris Renewables, Inc., which is the largest design-build renewable energy company in the Northeast. The annual estimate of the amount of electricity, which will be generated by all eight stores, totals 1,759,572 kWh, which will offset 1,264 metric tons of carbon dioxide. That amount equals the CO2 emissions from the total electricity usage of 153 homes, within a one year period.

This solar project is among a series of green solutions, in which Stop & Shop is introducing in 375 stores in the region.

The Stop & Shop Supermarket Company is a member of the US Green Building Council and has been awarded LEED (EB) certifications in 50 of its stores.  Moreover, the supermarket chain is a member of the EPA’s Smart Way program, and it has been recognized by the EPA for the superior energy management of its stores.

“Two years ago, we launched a storewide refresh and  brought customers new technology to simplify their lives — handheld devices for scanning groceries, digital kiosks for placing deli orders, and one-stop weigh stations in the produce department,” said Faith Weiner, Director of Public Affairs of Stop & Shop Supermarket Company.  “Now, we’re rolling out new renewable energy solutions for our stores which enable us to conserve energy, while continuing to deliver the quality and value our shoppers expect.”

“Businesses are waking up to the benefits of solar power.  As one of the largest food retailers in the Northeast, we’re proud to incorporate solar panels into our building,” said Weiner.

“Stop & Shop is proving that renewable energy is a key component for delivering quality and value in today’s energy economy,” said Ron French, President of Alteris Renewables’ Solar Division.  “Solar power allows businesses to save money, reduce their carbon footprint and hedge against rising electricity costs.”

Aside from the installation of solar panels, Stop & Shop has been exploring alternative ways to be green, by installing energy-efficient lighting and refrigeration systems in stores and distribution centers.

The company also recently partnered with the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund to install a fuel cell at its new store in Torrington, CT, which will provide greater than 90 percent of the electricity needed to power the store.

“We plan to spend this year evaluating the eight systems. We’ll consider investing in more solar systems in the future,” said Rizkallah.

Moreover, “The next step in the overall installation process is to engage our customers and associates for their feedback,” he said.

At present, the Somerville store is Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) for Existing Buildings certified (LEED EB) and currently has no “additional” environmentally-friendly initiatives.

Interested individuals may visit www.stopandshop.com, for more information about Stop & Shop’s company-wide recycling and environment initiatives.