As part of its attempt to become a shining light in the fast emerging solar energy manufacturing market, Applied Materials wants to lead by example and so has announced that it will be installing over 1.9 megawatts of solar power generation capability at its research campus in Sunnyvale, California.
“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, president and 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.”
Solar followers will be interested to know that Applied will not be championing any one solar technology and will install a variety of technologies. Panel installation is expected to start later this year and to be completed in 2008.
Should other major companies in the area follow Applied’s example, a move may be forthcoming to change the name of Sunnyvale to Solarvale!
Picture: Applied Materials’ Charlie Gay, Vice President, General Manager, Solar Business Group (right); Bruce Klafter, Senior Director, Environment, Health and Safety, next to Applied’s existing solar installation.