JC Penney Company, Inc. is making plans to take advantage of its stores' roof space. The company will install solar power systems on 10 JC Penney stores in California and New Jersey. The units will produce more than four megawatts of power. JC Penney is also working to install wind turbines at the company's Reno, Nevada distribution center.

To complete the solar project, JC Penney will work with a third-party financier who will own and operate the systems. JC Penney will purchase power under a SunPower Access power purchase agreement. Installation at the 10 pilot stores should be completed in November. JC Penney will also install energy-efficient lighting and advanced energy management in the pilot stores.

Broadstar Wind Systems is working with JC Penney on its plans to add wind turbines to one of its distribution centers. Broadstar will mount AeroCam wind turbines on the 1.6 million square-foot building.

JC Penney has announced long-term plans to achieve Energy Star certification for at least 200 of its stores by 2011. For a department store to receive an Energy Star certification, it must achieve an energy efficiency rating in the top quartile for all retail stores. It must also maintain appropriate levels of air quality and comfort.

Image — JC Penney