Google and Facebook in huge renewable energy deals

Solar power has once again proven its long-term value as a cornerstone of renewable energy, thanks to a groundbreaking deal struck by Google. This agreement, reportedly the largest renewable energy deal ever made by a corporation, marks a significant milestone in the tech industry’s commitment to sustainability.

Google’s latest green energy initiative spans 18 separate solar and wind contracts, sourcing energy from projects scattered across the globe. With this deal, Google’s renewable energy capacity will increase by 40%, adding an impressive 1.6 gigawatts of clean electricity to fuel their operations. To put that into perspective, it’s akin to installing over a million solar rooftops.

Driving Social Energy Forward

Sundar Pichai, Google’s CEO, noted that the company achieved a remarkable feat in 2017 by matching 100% of its electricity usage with renewable sources. Following these recent wind and solar agreements, Google’s total renewable energy supply will surpass 5.5 gigawatts.

Unlike some companies that solely rely on existing solar farms, Google has chosen to invest in creating entirely new projects worldwide. These efforts will involve the installation of millions of solar panels and the construction of hundreds of new wind turbines. This forward-thinking approach not only boosts renewable energy production but also strengthens global energy grids.

Pursuing Carbon-Free Energy

According to Pichai, “These long-term commitments drive the development of new renewable projects.” He emphasized that bringing additional renewable energy to the grids where they operate is essential for achieving their goal of powering all operations with carbon-free energy 24/7.

In a competitive move, Facebook also inked a massive renewable energy deal, focusing this time on wind power to meet its extensive server demands. They’ve entered into a 200-megawatt agreement with Aviator Wind, which will make it the largest single-site wind farm in the U.S.

On a smaller scale, homeowners in many regions are embracing the solar energy revolution. By connecting solar panels to energy storage systems, individuals can store excess energy and even sell it back to the grid. This innovative setup offers the potential to bypass traditional energy providers and save up to 70% on energy costs.

To learn more about this transformative technology, check out our comprehensive Social Energy Guide. It delves deep into how solar power is reshaping the energy landscape and empowering consumers to take control of their energy future.