Target became the largest user of solar energy in 2016 to fuel its business, supplanting WalMart as the leader of 2015. The Solar Energy Industries Association or SEIA keeps tabs on such rankings [1] and the association gladly reports that more American businesses are installing solar.
Target made a major push in the past year, by more than doubling its “megawatts” from 72 in 2015 to 147 in 2016. WalMart was pushed into the second spot with only meager gains in solar production during 2016 (gaining 3 megawatts to reach the 145 level). Apple, however, made substantial year-over year gains in solar production (going from 61 to 94 megawatts) to remain in fourth, while companies such as Costco and Kohl’s, in fifth and sixth positions, respectively, maintained the status quo for 2016.
Macy’s also made a big push in 2016 to maintain its eighth position, almost doubling its 21 megawatts in 2015 to reach 39 megawatts in 2016.
Target made a major push in the past year, by more than doubling its “megawatts” from 72 in 2015 to 147 in 2016. WalMart was pushed into the second spot with only meager gains in solar production during 2016 (gaining 3 megawatts to reach the 145 level). Apple, however, made substantial year-over year gains in solar production (going from 61 to 94 megawatts) to remain in fourth, while companies such as Costco and Kohl’s, in fifth and sixth positions, respectively, maintained the status quo for 2016.
Macy’s also made a big push in 2016 to maintain its eighth position, almost doubling its 21 megawatts in 2015 to reach 39 megawatts in 2016.
All of these companies argue that they are doing their part for sustainability and reducing their carbon footprint, in a time when preserving and protecting the environment is top of mind with Americans. Significant in their collective approaches is that sustainability and profitability are not mutually exclusive. They go hand-in-hand and consumers have been rewarding these companies with their hard-earned dollars.
In Breach of Trust, Laura, Gail, and Cynthia are discussing, with Vayl, the merits of renewable energy sources and their role in the Golden State [2]:
“Because it is one of the states trying to break away from the status quo. A state that is pushing for solar and wind to offset their consumption of oil and natural gas and become energy independent. A state that is still recovering from the Enron scandal and the dangers of unregulated delivery of energy to the people of California.”
Blue chip companies, by going solar in states like California, help to create thousands of new American jobs [3]. The SEIA report tracks “nearly 2,000 corporate systems,” which “are generating enough clean electricity to offset more than 1.1 million metric tons of harmful carbon emissions a year.”
Be sure to frequent these businesses on your next shopping trip.
[1] The 2015 and 2016 rankings of American businesses deploying solar are shown in the following table:
In Breach of Trust, Laura, Gail, and Cynthia are discussing, with Vayl, the merits of renewable energy sources and their role in the Golden State [2]:
“Because it is one of the states trying to break away from the status quo. A state that is pushing for solar and wind to offset their consumption of oil and natural gas and become energy independent. A state that is still recovering from the Enron scandal and the dangers of unregulated delivery of energy to the people of California.”
Blue chip companies, by going solar in states like California, help to create thousands of new American jobs [3]. The SEIA report tracks “nearly 2,000 corporate systems,” which “are generating enough clean electricity to offset more than 1.1 million metric tons of harmful carbon emissions a year.”
Be sure to frequent these businesses on your next shopping trip.
[1] The 2015 and 2016 rankings of American businesses deploying solar are shown in the following table:
[2] Dr. Laura Paige, Gail Fong, Dr. Cynthia Glenn and Vayl Oxford work as Medical Examiner (Sonoma County), CBI special agent, Medical Examiner (San Diego), and Director, Department of Homeland Security, respectively, and are four key characters in Breach of Trust.
[3] On February 7, 2017, Joseph Bebon of Solar Industry News reported, “The U.S. solar workforce grew at a historic pace in 2016, a year when one out of every 50 new jobs in the country was in the solar industry, according to the newly released National Solar Jobs Census 2016 report.” He added, “Solar industry employment growth outpaced the overall U.S. economy by 17 times in 2016 – increasing by over 51,000 jobs for a total of 260,077 U.S. solar workers.”
[3] On February 7, 2017, Joseph Bebon of Solar Industry News reported, “The U.S. solar workforce grew at a historic pace in 2016, a year when one out of every 50 new jobs in the country was in the solar industry, according to the newly released National Solar Jobs Census 2016 report.” He added, “Solar industry employment growth outpaced the overall U.S. economy by 17 times in 2016 – increasing by over 51,000 jobs for a total of 260,077 U.S. solar workers.”