QUINCY, Mass. — Stop & Shop Supermarket Co. has completed the installation of solar panels on eight stores in Massachusetts, Connecticut and New Jersey. The project is part of the grocer’s commitment to reduce its carbon footprint by 20% between 2008 and 2015.

Stop & Shop Supermarket Co. has completed the installation of solar panels on eight stores in Massachusetts, Connecticut and New Jersey. The project is part of the grocer’s commitment to reduce its carbon footprint by 20% between 2008 and 2015.

The use of the photovoltaic (PV) solar-power generating systems, which were developed by Alteris Renewables Inc., will reduce the amount of energy used by the stores by 7% and generate an estimated 1.76 million kWh of electricity. The panels will also reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 1,264 metric tons, equivalent to the carbon dioxide emissions from the electricity use of 153 homes over the course of a year.

"Two years ago we launched a storewide refresh and brought customers new technology to simplify their lives — handheld devices for scanning groceries, digital kiosks for placing deli orders, and one-stop weight stations in the produce department," said a company spokeswoman. "Now we’re rolling out new renewable energy solutions for our stores which enable us to conserve energy, while continuing to deliver the quality and value our shoppers expect."