MENOMONEE FALLS, WI (WTAQ) - The Wisconsin-based Kohl’s department store chain is expanding its number of stores with solar power by 25 percent this year.

The Menomonee Falls company said Thursday it will install solar panels at 30 of its stores around the country.

By the end of the year, Kohl’s says it will have solar generators at 150 locations in 13 states. Those solar panels provide around 20 to 50 percent of each store’s total electric needs.

Kohl’s said it began its solar program 5 years ago in California – and it installs panels when it’s feasible and provides cost savings.

Also, Kohl’s is a big buyer of renewable energy. The firm has bought 1.5 billion kilowatt hours of green power – second only to the Intel computer chip company.