(Electronic News) _ Complementing the moves it has already made to be an enabler for solar power generation, Santa Clara, CA-based semiconductor and thin film manufacturing equipment giant Applied Materials Inc., said today that it will install more than 1.9 megawatts of solar power generation capability at its research campus in Sunnyvale, CA.
The company believes this will be the largest solar power installation on an existing corporate facility in the U.S. The project will be rolled out in three phases.
Mike Splinter, president and CEO of Applied said in a 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. 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 said it will start installing panels later this year, utilizing a variety of solar technologies.
Once completed in 2008, Applied expects its system will generate more than 2,330 megawatt hours annually - the equivalent of powering 1,400 homes.
Already, the company says it has reduced its overall electricity consumption in the San Francisco Bay Area by approximately 20 percent on a normalized basis over the last few years as part of its commitment to reduce its carbon footprint.
Last year, Applied announced its intention to enter the solar photovoltaic equipment market, and has since expanded its corporate structure to include a solar power group.
In essence, Applied's solar strategy is to bring significant change to the industry by allowing lower cost-per-watt solutions for solar cell manufacturing, with the goal of making solar power a significant alternative source of global energy, the company added.
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