CANTON TOWNSHIP — Ikea Thursday announced plans to install solar energy panels on five more of its United States locations – all of them in the Midwestern U.S.

Pending governmental permits, installation can begin this winter, with completion expected by summer 2012.

Implementation of these projects will extend the Ikea solar presence to nearly 85 percent of its U.S. locations.

Collectively, the five new installations stores will total 4.8 megawatts of solar generating capacity, approximately 20,400 panels, and an annual output of 5.62 million kilowatt-hours of electricity — the equivalent to reducing 4,273 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) — equal to eliminating the emissions of 760 cars or providing electricity for 484 homes yearly.

This investment by Ikea reinforces the company’s long-term commitment to sustainability and confidence in photovoltaic technology. Ikea will own and operate each of its solar PV energy systems atop its buildings — as opposed to a solar lease or power purchase agreement.

Besides the Canton store, other stores involved in the latest move are the Bolingbrook and Schaumburg, Ill. stores, the Bloomington, Minn. store and the Pittsburgh, Pa. store.

The Canton store opened in 2006 and takes up 311,000 square feet on 33 acres. Its solar system will include 4,157 panels generating 977 kilowatts, equivalent to reducing 865 tons of CO2, 154 cars’ emissions or powering 98 homes.

Ikea already has 12 U.S. solar energy systems operational with 20 more under way. Installing solar panels atop these five locations will increase the company’s U.S. solar presence to nearly 85 percent and will result in a total generating capacity of 31.6 MW in the U.S.

More at www.ikea-usa.com.