The sun is shining a little brighter on some of today’s largest retailers, as many of them are exploring the benefits of renewable energies like solar and wind power. Big players like Whole Foods, Ikea, Wal-Mart, Macy’s and Safeway have all started outfitting some of their locations with solar panels, boosting their eco-credentials as well as taking advantage of tax incentives. While generating electricity from solar panels remains considerably more expensive than from coal, tax provisions for renewable energy, tightening emissions control on coal and growing environmental concern on the part of consumers all suggest solar power can provide competitive advantages.
