Alfamart, the minimart chain of the SM Group, on Monday said it installed solar panels in its distribution center in Silang, Cavite.
This initiative aims to reduce the reliance of the 30,000 square meter distribution center on the community’s power supply while also cutting power costs and its carbon emissions with the installation of 117 solar panels equivalent to 55,370 watts on its roof deck.
The company said it aims to finish the second phase of the project with an additional 100,000 watts by December.
“As Alfamart continues to expand and reach out to different areas, we are cognizant of our impact on the environment and the community. We are committed to integrating sustainability in our operations as we continue to serve communities,” Harvey Ong, COO of Alfamart, said.
Alfamart said it is keen on replicating the initiative in its new stores depending on this initial phase.
The company has a total of 1,590 stores as of September.
The solar panels are designed to power the operations of Alfamart’s back offices despite changing seasons of the country. Any excess of generated electricity is utilized by the operational warehouse, which runs round the clock.
Alfamart and all of its four distribution centers in Bulacan, Cavite, Pampanga and Laguna further strengthen their initiatives towards sustainability by using electric forklifts and electric movers in their operations, the company said.
The company has been using these electric forklifts and electric movers since the start of operations in 2014.
