Kohl's Department Stores will add 30 more solar energy projects on their stores across the United States, increasing their solar power capacity by nearly 25 percent in 2012.

While some of the new solar projects will be in California, Connecticut and Maryland – states where Kohl's already have solar panels installed – the company will now build in additional states like Massachusetts, New York and Ohio. Construction of the first solar panel arrays began this spring.

Once the facilities are completed by end of 2012, Kohl's will have more than 150 solar locations across 13 states. This will bring the company's portfolio of solar sites to 74.2 million kilowatt-hours of energy annually, for an emissions cut equivalent of taking 10,000 cars from the road, according to the company.

"As a national retailer with more than 1,100 stores, we consistently challenge ourselves to find new ways to reduce the operational footprint of our facilities, to be more energy efficient, use fewer resources and be a good neighbor in the communities where we do business," said John Worthington, Kohl's chief administrative officer.

Solar program

Kohl's launched its solar program in 2007, starting with the installation of solar panels at its Laguna Niguel store in California.

On the average, the company said its solar projects supply 20 percent to 50 percent of each solar-powered store's energy. (See related story.)

The retailer has been named a Green Power Partner of the Year by the Environmental Protection Agency in 2011, 2010 and 2009. Additionally, Kohl's has had more than 700 Energy Star-labeled locations which, according to the E.P.A., use 35 percent less energy and generates one-third less carbon dioxide than similar buildings. – EcoSeed Staff