Photo courtesy John Logan SOAKING IT IN—Vons President Tom Keller stands amid Simi Pavilions' 742-panel solar array while being interviewed by an ABC 7 camera crew. The local market is the first solar-powered Vons/ Safeway store in Southern California. Following in the carbon-light footprints of Simi stores Wal-Mart and Macy's, Pavilions announced last month that it too has taken ecofriendly business practices to new heights: the roof.

The Simi Pavilions at 2938 Tapo Canyon Road is the first Vons/ Safeway store in Southern California to harness the energy of the sun through the use of rooftop solar panels.

John Logan, Pavilions store manager for nearly three years, said it was an honor to have his store chosen to go solar first.

"I'm amazed at how much energy those (panels) provide and the technology . . . it's just getting better every year," Logan said. "I would hope that all new buildings in the future have a plan to put panels on their roof."

He said the Simi Pavilions was chosen because it is a newer market and the roof is in good condition. The store is also owned, rather than leased.

A year ago, Vons/Safeway announced its plans to install solar panels on the rooftops of 23 California stores. The Simi Pavilions brings the number that are now equipped with the doorsized panels to nine.

Pavilions celebrated its achievement with an instore press conference Oct. 20, during which representatives from Vons, a division of Safeway, explained how the panels will reduce the store's environmental impact.

The field of 742 panels will supply about 35 percent of the store's power during peak hours.

According to Vons representatives, by using solar energy at the Simi store, the company is removing 487,000 pounds of carbon dioxide from the air—the equivalent of taking 50 passenger cars off the road annually or planting 184 acres of pine trees.

Vons President Tom Keller said the company has a long history of being environmentally conscious, dating back to the 1960s when Vons began recycling corrugated cardboard. Earlier this year, Vons/ Safeway converted its entire fleet of more than 1,000 trucks to cleaner-burning biodiesel fuel, he said.

"It's our goal to remain an industry leader," Keller said.

Senate candidate Tony Strickland, who serves as the vice president of GreenWave Energy Solutions, said the state needs more leaders like Vons/Safeway to create renewable energy sources.

"We still have an energy crisis here in California," Strickland said, "and Vons has stepped up to solve that crisis."

Mayor Paul Miller also congratulated Vons/Safeway and thanked Keller for the company's move to solar.

"We appreciate having them open their first solar store in our community," Miller said, noting that, with the formation of the Sustainable Simi Valley Committee, the city has recently put a focus on green development and being more energy-efficient.

Assemblyman Cameron Smyth, (R-Santa Clarita), said he was proud to represent a community that values conservation and added that with a year-round warm climate, "there is no better place to utilize this solar technology than in Southern California."

Last month's event ended with a trip up to the roof. A crane hoisted press, Pavilions executives, and local officials above the supermarket for an up-close look at the solar field.

Logan said he was delighted by the positive response to the store's green initiatives.

"I was very impressed with how many people showed up and when they went up on the roof, how much they cared," he said. "It was a good feeling (to know) that your city officials care about what your company is doing."