America’s top companies are investing in solar in record amounts, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA®) new Solar Means Business 2017 report, which tracks on-site commercial solar installations and ranks top corporate solar users.
This year’s report contains data from over 4,000 companies, totaling more than 2.5 gigawatts of solar capacity across approximately 7,400 solar projects.
Said Abigail Ross Hopper, president and CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA):
“To leading companies across America, deploying solar is a common-sense business decision. Large corporations have found that going solar not only benefits the environment, but also their bottom-line, satisfying both shareholders and customers alike.”
Adding more than 40 megawatts (MW) of solar in 2017, more than the annual total in 23 U.S. states, Target earned the top spot in the report for the second year in a row. Target now has 204 MW of installed solar capacity.
Said John Leisen, vice president, Property Management, Target:
“At Target, we’re designing for tomorrow and putting solutions in place across our business to leave our homes better for future families. And we’re proud of the progress our team has made over the past year towards Target’s goal to install rooftop solar panels on 500 buildings by 2020. As we continue our commitment to supporting our local communities, it’s an incredible honor to be recognized by SEIA for the second year in a row.”
Other blue-chip companies recognized for their installed solar capacity in the Solar Means Business 2017 Top 10 include Walmart, Prologis, Apple, Kohl’s, Costco Wholesale, GGP, IKEA, Macy’s, and Amazon.
Among several fun facts, the Solar Means Business 2017 report, which is now in its sixth edition, notes that:
- every week 9.6 million people visit a solar-powered Walmart store
- more than 19,300 Americans work at a solar-powered Kohl’s
- Apple’s solar facilities produce enough electricity annually to fully-charge more than 44 million iPhones every day for a year
Celebrating its 44th anniversary in 2018, the Solar Energy Industries Association® is the national trade association of the US solar energy industry, which now employs more than 250,000 Americans. Through advocacy and education, SEIA® is building a strong solar industry to power America. SEIA works with its 1,000 member companies to build jobs and diversity, champion the use of cost-competitive solar in America, remove market barriers and educate the public on the benefits of solar energy. Visit SEIA online at www.seia.org.
Source: Alex Hobson, SEIA
