Applied Materials, Inc., a nanomanufacturing solutions provider for the electronics industry, announced on March 15 that it will install over 1.9 megawatts of solar power generation capability at its research campus in Sunnyvale, Calif. It is believed to be the largest solar power installation on an existing corporate facility in the U.S., according to a company statement.
"When the project is complete we will have a silent, non-polluting 1.9 megawatt power plant on what is currently open roof space and parking areas, and a great hedge against future energy cost increases," said Mike Splinter, CEO of Applied Materials. "As we pursue our strategy to significantly drive down the overall solar cost-per-watt we feel it is important to lead through example and that installations of this size will help lower consumer cost and spur overall market growth."
Applied Materials will start installing panels later this year. Once completed in 2008, Applied Materials' system will generate over 2,330 megawatt hours annually -- the equivalent of powering 1,400 homes. The company has reduced its overall Bay Area electricity consumption by approximately 20% on a normalized basis over the last couple of years as part of its commitment to dramatically reducing its carbon footprint.
Based in Santa Clara, Calif., Applied Materials, Inc. provides equipment, service and software products for the fabrication of semiconductor chips, flat panels, solar photovoltaic cells, flexible electronics and energy efficient glass.
