CALIFORNIA, US. Familiar brands such as Google and eBay have recently told the world they are investing in renewable energies such as solar PV in a bid to increase the share of their power coming from renewable energy sources.
Google’s philanthropic arm, Google.org, is helping to fund BrightSource Energy, a developer of large-scale solar thermal projects, to the tune of US$10 million. Together with BP Alternative Energy and other investors, US$115 million has now been invested in the Californian company. In addition, Google.org is investing US$10 million in solar thermal power company eSolar.
Another company going solar is eBay, whose North Campus now hosts 3,248 solar panels in a 650 kW system, supplying 18% of the facility’s power needs. “eBay empowers people around the world to recycle and reuse, so constructing an environmentally friendly building from the ground up reflects our business values and our commitment to reducing our corporate footprint, in the Bay Area and at all of our facilities worldwide,” says John Donahoe, President and CEO of eBay. “Going green is a great way to work.”
And in the food industry, Frito-Lay is planning to use the sun to fry its SunChips, and Mars snack foods has initiated a project to use energy from landfill gas. Starbucks is following suit with plans to cut energy consumption in its outlets by 25% and make up the rest with renewable energy certificates.
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