Verizon (News - Alert) Communications, a provider of broadband and other wireless and wireline communications services, revealed its plan to expand its on-site green energy program launched in 2013 by investing nearly $40 million.
Verizon said this year it will install 10.2 megawatts of new solar power systems at eight of its network facilities spread across California, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey and New York.
"Our investment in on-site green energy is improving the quality of life in the communities we serve by reducing CO2 levels and reducing strain on commercial power grids, while increasing our energy efficiency," James Gowen, chief sustainability officer at Verizon said.
"By almost doubling the amount of renewable, solar energy we're using, we are making further progress toward Verizon's goal of cutting our carbon intensity in half by 2020, in part, by leveraging the proven business case for clean-energy alternatives to the commercial power grid," Gowen added.
Verizon's energy-efficiency strategies are set for a goal of cutting carbon intensity in half by 2020. The company has invested nearly $140 million in on-site green energy to date.
With the 2014 solar investment announced, Verizon has prepared itself to deploy more than 25 megawatts of green energy via its new solar projects.
According to the company, this expanded investment almost doubles the amount of renewable power generated by solar energy systems installed at six Verizon facilities last year. To accomplish the new expansion, Verizon has also signed a deal with SunPower Corp. who will design and install all of the solar systems. The new equipment includes rooftop, parking-structure and ground-mounted solar photovoltaic systems, and so on which can vary from site to site.
The system will generate green energy that can power more than 8,500 homes each year.
"With this milestone investment, Verizon is advancing its position among the handful of corporate leaders demonstrating how American businesses can serve their communities and control energy costs with on-site solar power generation," Howard Wenger, SunPower president, business units said.
Edited by Stefania Viscusi