According to the Solar Energy Industries Association's (SEIA) most recent Solar Means Business report, tech giants, major retailers and other corporate leaders are making significant investments in clean energy and installed over 1,280 megawatts (MW) of new commercial solar capacity in the United States in 2019, the second largest year on record. The annual report tracks both on-site and off-site installations and highlights the strong appeal of cost-saving solar energy for American businesses.
“The world’s most recognizable brands are walking the walk when it comes to their clean energy commitments,” said Abigail Ross Hopper, president and CEO of SEIA. “Businesses are choosing solar energy because it can significantly curb their energy costs and add predictability during these uncertain times. We expect that the corporate sector will make greater investments in solar as businesses make and follow through on clean energy commitments to address the climate crisis.”
Apple and Amazon remain in first and second place when it comes to the top corporate solar users, followed by Walmart, which installed the most solar in 2019 and increased its solar use by 35%. This year was also the largest year yet for onsite commercial solar installations with 845 MW installed.
Apple, which has the most off-site solar installed through 2019, now has nearly 400 MW of solar capacity in its portfolio and has recently committed to make its supply chain and products 100% carbon neutral by 2030.
The report tracks over 8,350 MW of commercial solar capacity across more than 38,000 systems. Combined, the systems generate enough electricity each year to power 1.6 million homes and offset 8.9 million metric tons of CO2 annually. For perspective, each week more than 7.2 million people, or 2.2% of the U.S. population, shop at a Walmart store with a solar installation.
Additionally, the report revealed the top 25 corporate solar users, which includes:
- Apple
- Amazon
- Walmart
- Target
- Kaiser Permanente
- Switch
- Prologis
- Solvay
- Fifth Third Bank
- Microsoft
- Brookfield Properties Retail
- IKEA
- Macys
- Kohls
- Costco Wholesale
- Corning
- Starbucks
- Paypal
- Home Depot
- Hartz Mountain
- Lockheed Martin
- Digital Reality
- ALDI
For more information, see the original press release from SEIA.