Ralphs, a subsidiary of The Kroger Co., Cincinnati, installed a photovoltaic solar power array at its automated distribution center in Paramount, Calif. The 555,000-square-foot building provides products to 190 Ralphs stores and 95 Food 4 Less stores throughout Southern California.

This is the largest solar energy project to date for Kroger, featuring more than 7,000 solar panels to harness energy from the sun. The new installation has a 2 MW AC capacity and will generate 4.28 million kWh of clean power for the facility each year, representing approximately 50% of the facility's total electricity needs.

"Ralphs is constantly exploring energy efficient technologies and renewable energy options that are respectful to our environment and the communities we serve," says Mike Murphy, president at Ralphs. "These sustainability investments demonstrate to our customers and other valued stakeholders our commitment to being a responsible corporate citizen."

The company's supply chain team partnered with Affordable Solar, Albuquerque, N.M., on the installation.

This move is part of Kroger’s Zero Hunger | Zero Waste social impact plan that aims to end hunger in local communities and eliminate waste across the company by 2025.