Sept. 27, 2007 Kohls Department Stores has flipped the switch on a rooftop solar energy system at its Laguna Niguel, Calif., store as part of the largest planned U.S. solar rollout to date.

The installation is the first step toward building solar electric systems at 63 of Kohls 80 California locations. By 2008, the company plans to install a total of 138,000 solar panels capable of producing 35 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of renewable energy annually. In the first full year of operation, this clean energy output will offset more than 28 million pounds of carbon dioxide, Kohl's says.

Through our solar introduction, were further extending our commitment to green power and making a significant contribution to Californias renewable energy goals, says Ken Bonning, Kohls executive vice president of logistics.

Kohl's is taking advantage of the 2007 California Solar Initiative, which offers cash incentives on solar systems of up to $2.50 a watt. California aims to build solar power systems totaling 3,000 MW of solar power by 2017. Once complete, Kohls solar program will represent about 15% of Californias photovoltaic installations.

Earlier this month, Safeway announced plans for solar arrays at 23 of its stores, also in California.