At a new McDonald’s restaurant that just opened at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida (with COVID-19 protection measures in place), solar panels covering the roof—and solar glass panels throughout the building—are designed to generate enough energy that the restaurant can run on 100% renewable power.
[Image: McDonald’s]
By shrinking energy use dramatically, the design makes it possible to power the entire 8,024 square-foot restaurant with only the solar panels on the roof, along with solar technology embedded in glass that provides shade over the outdoor eating area. As with most solar power, the panels send energy back into the local grid rather than directly powering the restaurant, but the total amount of energy generated is equal to what the restaurant will use over a year. The company plans to get a “zero energy” certification from theInternational Living Future Instituteover the coming year.While the store is designed as a pilot—with extra features such as electricity-generating bikes that customers can ride to light up the golden arches above the store, and games at tables that teach kids about renewable electricity—many of the elements of the design can easily be incorporated elsewhere. “McDonald’s isn’t going to turn around tomorrow and tell all the franchisees that they have to have and put solar panels all over their store,” Ross Barney says. “But I do think that there will be some applications that can be used in all stores, and will be used in all stores, in the future.” As the cost of renewable energy continues to drop, it’s likely that it will become more common at restaurants.
The building is located near the All-Star Resorts on Disney’s property, which are currently closed. Disney says its Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando is on track for a “phased reopening” on July 11. While health and safety are a top concern for McDonald’s, Marion Gross, McDonald’s chief supply chain officer for North America, said in a statement that the company is also “focused on creating positive change for our communities and the planet.” This new restaurant design is one step toward McDonald’s science-based target forreducing emissionsin line with the goals of the Paris climate agreement; by 2030, its emissions from restaurants and offices will need to drop 36% compared to 2015. The company is also investing in large-scale off-site renewable energy projects. In 2019, it began buying wind and solar power from massive plants in Texas that generate enough electricity to power 2,500 of its restaurants.Recognize your brand’s excellence by applying to this year’s Brands That Matter Awards before the early-rate deadline, May 3.