by Jackie Pitera
Borrego Solar, Inc. is an IMA B2B Partner
America’s most recognizable brands are leading the way in corporate solar adoption. Top companies such as Target, Walmart, Costco, Amazon, Intel, FedEx, Verizon, L’Oreal, Microsoft, and General Motors are all saving on energy costs, delivering more value to their customers, and reducing harmful carbon emissions and pollution by investing in renewable energy.
Solar means business
Since 2015, private sector solar installations increased 43%, according to Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA)’s recent Solar Means Business report. Last year alone, America’s top 25 corporate solar users installed 325 MW.
The top corporate solar adopters span all industries — from technology, manufacturing, and distribution, to retail, real estate, and hospitality. Altogether, the SEIA report tracks 4,000 companies generating 3.2 million megawatt hours of electricity each year at nearly 7,400 project sites — enough to power 402,000 homes and offset 2.4 million metric tons of CO2 annually.
A key factor in the rapid growth of commercial solar is the significant decline in system pricing. Prices have fallen 73% since 2010, and non-module hardware costs continue to decline. There have also been changes to incentive programs in key states such as California and Massachusetts, growth in financing opportunities, and increases in corporate procurement of off-site projects. All of this has led to a consistent growth in average system sizes for projects.
Solar as a sound business strategy
The benefits of procuring solar energy go far beyond cost savings. Many Fortune 500 companies are including renewable energy in their business strategies and setting bold clean energy goals. For example, Microsoft is expanding their renewable energy portfolio so it can build a global cloud and better serve clients. Target has pledged to power its operations with 100% renewable energy, making a strong financial case for managing expenses, reducing energy consumption, and easing demands of the local grid.
Companies going solar are aligning their climate strategy with solid business decisions. Campbell Soup Company has a long-standing sustainable business strategy that contributes directly to its bottom-line. Campbell recently installed a system that produces more than 5 million kilowatt hours of solar energy at its headquarters, which is expected to provide enough electricity to meet around 20% of its electricity demand annually. The solar installations are driving cost savings for the company, while also benefiting the local community and showcasing a commitment to environmental stewardship to its customers.
Technology & data centers
The growth of cloud-based services, electric vehicles, the Internet of Things (IoT), and innovation are all driving energy demand upward — forcing technology companies to take a more serious look at the costs they spend on electricity. Notably, Microsoft is using nearly as much electrical power as a small American state. The company has committed to using 60% renewable energy to power its data centers by 2020, with a longer term goal of running their data centers entirely on renewable energy.
Several technology firms are taking action to reduce costs and environmental impact, which can be seen by a surge in 2017 solar installations. For the first time, Amazon made it onto the list of Top 25 overall corporate users with at least 17 MW of onsite solar installations in 2017. Facebook added at least 10 MW of onsite solar to power data centers in New Mexico, and Intel installed at least 7MW of new solar in 2017.
Apple ranks #4 among the top 25 corporate users by installed solar capacity, with over 101 MW of solar installed and an additional 14 MW installed in 2017. Apple’s solar production includes an onsite solar array at their corporate offices.
ech companies are also investing in off-site solar, in part to offset the growing demand from their data centers. Facebook contracted for three new 10 MW projects in New Mexico. Amazon Web Services contracted for 260 MW of solar in Virginia. And Microsoft will purchase 315 MW from two solar facilities in Virginia.
Retail, office space, and distribution lead the way
The retail sector represents the largest adopter of solar capacity and greatest number of installations at both large retail centers and smaller building footprints. Target already has roof-top solar at 436 of their locations, with a plan to increase that to over 500 locations by 2020.
Owners of distribution facilities, office buildings, and warehouses are also leading adopters of renewables. These companies are able to monetize their large building footprints and flat roofs by installing solar.
Variety of system types
Rooftop systems currently make up the majority of private sector solar installations given most companies’ urban locations. However, for companies with the space or located in a market where off-site solar is an option, ground-mounted systems should also be considered. They can be sized to meet a specific energy demand amount, versus accommodating a system design and size based on space, access, or shading limitations of a roof.
Carport systems offer yet another alternative for companies with limited rooftop space, enabling them to convert parking lots or other paved surfaces into commercial-scale solar energy. With carport systems, companies can also provide shaded parking, reduce lighting costs by replacing low-efficiency light poles with energy-efficient LED lighting under the structures, provide shade for outdoor areas where people gather, and add charging stations for electric vehicles.
Growth of off-site projects
Corporate procurement of large off-site projects is growing, and is expected to continue not only as a result of businesses becoming more familiar with it as an option, but also as more markets enable this kind of net metering arrangement. Off-site projects enable companies to offset a larger portion of their demand and benefit from economies of scale by building larger projects than their sites allow. In some markets, companies can share in multi-party financial arrangements and PPAs at off-site projects. Walmart recently completed a 56MW off-site solar project through utility Alabama Power. Microsoft, Facebook, and Amazon Web Services have all invested in off-site solar.
Energy storage
As costs of energy storage decline, companies are looking at storage technology as the next phase in reducing energy costs. Energy storage enables customers to lower their peak demand, optimize their time-of-use rates, and reduce capacity charges. Target is already looking forward at energy innovation, embracing storage as a way to not only increase their renewable energy consumption, but also to improve their resiliency at locations in their climate-impacted communities.
Advice from top companies taking charge
As we look to America’s top private sector solar energy adopters, we can glean some best practices other companies can learn from:
– Campbell Soup Company suggests making a clear business case to gain executive buy-in. The company is exploring virtual PPAs and recommends prioritizing investing in solar in markets that incentivize projects.
– Apple continues its momentum towards 100% renewable energy at its corporate facilities and data centers. Apple is investing in their own onsite energy production, establishing relationships with suppliers to procure renewable energy to reduce their energy needs even as their employee base grows.
– Microsoft is procuring increasing amounts of solar energy to meet their bold clean energy goals. The company is optimistic about solar and are working with partners and utilities to leverage their buying power to bring more clean energy to the grid.
– Target, by far the top corporate user by installed capacity and number of installations, is sending a strong signal to the energy sector by working with peers, utilities, other retailers, and leading companies in their shift to 100% renewable energy.
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