Solar Roofs Give Stores Moment in Sun

Some of the largest US retail chains have begun to embrace solar power as a way to reduce energy costs and to wrangle some cred among green-conscious shoppers, reports the New York Times. Kohl’s, Macy’s, Safeway, and Whole Foods are among chains rushing to install test panels on their vast roofs before a federal tax credit expires at the end of the year.

But experts are eagerly awaiting Wal-Mart's reaction to the small test it’s running, as success could mean roughly 23 acres of solar panels on stores nationwide. “It’s going to be the Wal-Marts of the world that will buy these things over acres and make a difference,” says one. (More clean energy stories.)