DIY store with surplus energy

Leroy Merlin, the French DIY market leader, has opened a first store that produces more energy than it consumes. The company's 111th outlet reports a positive energy balance amounting to 22 kWh per year and m². Among the features contributing to this result are the thermal insulation of the building and a photovoltaic solar power plant covering an area of 5 785 m². Of the 60 000 articles in the product offer, 8 700 carry the company's own logo which marks them out as environmentally sound and energy-saving. What is more, the 14 000 m² superstore in Valence is equipped with an electronic price-labelling system. The company is planning to modify 17 stores in 2010 within the framework of its sustainability trend.
Our specialist magazine DIY International will be publishing a more detailed report in the next issue, No. 2/2010.