cooperatives build a better future for all

July 6, 2024, is the International Day of Cooperatives, an annual celebration of the cooperative movement. Along with cooperatives around the world, we are celebrating this year’s theme, “Cooperatives Build a Better Future for All.” Building a healthy and sustainable future for our community is at the heart of who we are and what we do. To celebrate International Day of Cooperatives, we’re highlighting our most recent project in our sustainability journey: the 2023 Denfeld Solar Project, a solar array installed on the roof of the Denfeld store. 

The roof-mounted array is comprised of 145 panels, generating approximately 83,000 kWh each year. Whole Foods Co-op’s total annual solar PV generation at both locations now surges to over 100,000 kWh, putting us on the map as having one of the largest private commercial solar footprints in Duluth. The second Denfeld solar array embodies our commitment to local partnerships and reduces our carbon footprint. The Co-op’s ability to generate over 100,000 kWh from the sun will eliminate 78.1 metric tons of CO2 emissions yearly, equivalent to 8.9 U.S. homes’ energy use for one year.  

The Co-op can harness a lot of power from the sun, however, the business of groceries is energy-intensive. The two solar arrays at Denfeld now offset the total electricity needed to run the store by about 25%. 

Bret Pence and volunteer leaders of Interfaith Power and Light provided renewable technical expertise, and the panels were manufactured and installed by local businesses. Heliene in Mountain Iron, MN, assembled the solar panels, and Solar Bear, Minnesota’s sole Native American/minority-owned solar installation firm, designed and installed the project.  

On Wednesday, October 18, 2023, we held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to announce the completion of the project. Watch our video to learn more!