Walmart is taking significant steps towards sustainable energy by investing in 31 community solar projects across five states—Maine, Massachusetts, New York, Illinois, and Minnesota—in collaboration with Nexamp. With an expected capacity of approximately 120 gigawatts, these projects aim to serve around 8,000 residential customers and are slated to become operational between mid-2025 and 2026. This initiative builds on Walmart’s previous investment in 74 community solar projects with Solar Landscape, as the company strives to achieve its ambitious goal of 10 gigawatts of new clean energy projects by 2030, which includes 2 gigawatts dedicated to community solar.
Community solar offers households that cannot install their own solar systems a way to access renewable energy through shared solar farms, which is particularly beneficial for nearly half of American households. Environmental advocates are applauding Walmart for their investment but urge the company to expand its commitment by installing solar panels on all viable rooftops and parking lots, leveraging its position as the retailer with the most rooftop solar potential in the country. By enhancing its solar initiatives, Walmart can contribute to cleaner air, reduced pollution, and stronger community resilience, showcasing the intersection of corporate responsibility and sustainable energy solutions.