Amazon Continues Drive to Shipment Zero – Announces Early Completion of Goal to Host 50 Solar Rooftop Systems Globally by 2020; Solar Energy Industries Association Ranks Amazon #1 in the U.S. for Amount of Corporate On-site Solar Installed in 2018
SEATTLE–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Jul. 25, 2019– Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN) today announced the early completion of its commitment to host 50 solar systems on its fulfillment and sortation center rooftops globally by 2020. Additionally, Amazon was ranked #1 in the U.S. for the amount of corporate on-site solar installed in 2018 by the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA). The on-site solar systems reduce Amazon’s reliance on fossil fuels, and can generate as much as 80 percent of a single fulfillment facility’s annual energy needs. Amazon’s on-site solar investments support Shipment Zero – Amazon’s vision to make all Amazon shipments net zero carbon, with 50% of all shipments net zero by 2030 – as well as its companywide goal to use 100% renewable energy across its global operations and infrastructure.
According to the SEIA’s 2018 Solar Means Business Report, Amazon ranked #1 in the U.S. for the amount of corporate on-site solar installed in 2018, and #2 for total amount of solar installed to date. And in just the last three-years alone, Amazon has installed more solar capacity in the U.S. than any company. In total, Amazon’s solar projects in the U.S. have offset the CO2 equivalent of more than 200 million miles of truck deliveries.
“Online shopping is inherently more sustainable, and with Shipment Zero, we’re working to make all Amazon shipments net zero carbon, with 50% of all shipments net zero by 2030,” said Kara Hurst, Director of Sustainability, Amazon. “Our investments in renewable energy – including reaching our goal of 50 solar rooftop installations a year early – are another important milestone in building a more sustainable business. Thanks to all the teams working hard to deliver this – we’re going to continue our investment in renewable energy.”
Globally, Amazon has 32 rooftop systems in the U.S., 12 in the EU, and seven in India, totaling over 98 MW of installed capacity. In total, Amazon has 61 operating solar and wind projects that are expected to generate over 1,044 MW and deliver over 3.1 million MWh of energy annually.
“Corporate solar investments are surging thanks to companies like Amazon,” said Abigail Ross Hopper, President and CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association. “Over the past three years, Amazon has installed more solar than any other company, showing that clean energy both boosts the bottom line and helps companies meet climate commitments. We commend Amazon for its leadership on solar energy and urge other businesses to follow their example.”
Amazon has a longstanding commitment to sustainability. Since launching Frustration-Free Packaging in 2009, Amazon has eliminated more than 244,000 tons of packaging materials and avoided 500 million shipping boxes. Amazoncontinues to invest in sustainability through the company’s network of solar and wind farms, solar on fulfillment center rooftops, the circular economy with the Closed Loop Fund, Amazon’s Second Chance website, and numerous other initiatives happening every day by teams across Amazon. Amazon has also implemented the District Energy Project that uses recycled energy for heating millions of square feet of the company’s headquarters buildings in Seattle. For more information on Amazon’s sustainability initiatives, visit www.amazon.com/sustainability.
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Amazon is guided by four principles: customer obsession rather than competitor focus, passion for invention, commitment to operational excellence, and long-term thinking. Customer reviews, 1-Click shopping, personalized recommendations, Prime, Fulfillment by Amazon, AWS, Kindle Direct Publishing, Kindle, Fire tablets, Fire TV, Amazon Echo, and Alexa are some of the products and services pioneered by Amazon. For more information, visit amazon.com/about and follow @AmazonNews.
