Walgreens, the pharmacy chain, is installing solar at 90 locations throughout Ohio. The first, 53-installation phase is slated for completion by Nov. 11, bringing the total number of solar powered Walgreens’ stores up to 136.

The installations in Ohio are being made through a contract with SoCore Energy, a Chicago-based solar developer that specializes in installing solar on retail stores, according to SoCore President Pete Kadens.

SoCore owns and operates the systems and leases them to Walgreens for 10 years.

“They have an option to renew, but not to buy,” Kadens said.

SoCore has worked with numerous retailers including J.C. Penny’s, Lowes and Kimco Realty—which owns malls across the country, according to Kadens.

“What we want in a client is someone we can build a hundred sites with. Walgreens falls into that paradigm,” he said.

The first 53 installations, some of which are being commissioned this week, are being installed through a $5.2 million loan to SoCore from the Ohio Air Quality Development Authority.

“There’s another 37 we’re under contract for in the state of Ohio. We’re working on making the finances for those speak. We will build those, it’s just a matter of when,” Kadens said.

SoCore and a federal tax credit will support the projects.

SoCore is serving as the engineer, procurer and contractor for the project. The actual construction is being carried out by two companies, The Shaw Group and Quebe Holdings, Inc.’s Chapel and Romanoff electric company subsidiaries, Kadens said.

Adding solar to nearly 100 stores in one state—or even across the country—seems like a tall order, but it represents only a fraction of Walgreens stores in the state.

“Walgreens has over 250 stores in Ohio and wanted to do as many as they could,” Kadens said.

SoCore looked at putting solar on all the pharmacy’s stores in the state, but between structural roof issues, shading and other issues, only one-third of the stores worked.

“That’s how we came up with the 90 stores,” he said. “I think Walgreens wants to be the leader in environmental consciousness. After this, they’ll have more physical locations with solar on it than almost any other retailer.”

Image courtesy of SoCore Energy.