Longs Drug Stores said its planned new store in Upcountry Maui will open in early 2009 and be the first new Longs store built with photovoltaic solar panels that produce electricity.

The 16,000-square-foot store in the Kulamalu Town Center will also be the first large-format Longs opened in Hawai'i since 1999.

Longs has 39 stores in the state, and also plans a 41st store in Pearl City on O'ahu but has not disclosed details of that project.

Earlier this week, Longs agreed to be acquired by CVS Caremark Corp., the nation's largest drugstore chain.

Longs said the 84.5 kilowatt photovoltaic system will produce 150,000 kilowatt hours of electricity per year, and the store will employ 40 to 45 people.