MOM's Organic Market to Go Solar

MOM's Organic Market has added rooftop solar panels to its store in Waldorf, Md., and is considering adding more renewable energy solutions to its nine other locations in the Baltimore-Washington area.

The Rockville, Md.-based organic grocer opened the store last November. It features energy-efficient design, including closed-door coolers, LED lighting and electric car charging stations. Additionally, the photovoltaic system is expected to offset the store's energy needs by at least 15 percent.

"The Waldorf solar array is the first of many," said Scott Nash, MOM's founder and CEO. "We plan to install solar panels on every store that we can in the future."

Charis Egland-Smith, the company's environmental coordinator, added, "We are in the process of exploring and expanding our renewable energy portfolio at all locations." Projects on the horizon include more solar panels, wind turbines and additional fast charging stations for electric cars.

A longtime supporter of renewable energy, MOM's has been fully wind powered since 2005. In 2012, MOM's purchased enough direct wind power and wind power Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) to offset 424 percent of its company-wide energy use. The retailer also matches employees' REC purchases and partners with Clean Currents to provide gift cards to customers who sign up for residential wind power.

Last September, the EPA recognized MOM's Organic Market with an award for Leadership in Green Power Purchasing