Apple Inc. (AAPL): Is Green Energy En Vogue in Corporate America?

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Of course, data centers aren’t the only ones to benefit. Let’s look at the top 10 companies using green power in the United States. From microprocessors to macchiatos, companies from almost every sector are finding an economic benefit in using alternative energy.

Rank Company Total Power Consumed
(Million kWh)
% of Power from
Green Sources
Sources
1 Intel 3,100 100% Biogas, biomass, small-hydro, solar, wind
2 Microsoft 1,936 80% Biomass, small-hydro, solar, wind
3 Kohl’s Department Stores 1,536 105% Solar
4 Whole Foods Market 800 107% Solar, wind
5 Wal-Mart Stores 751 4% Biogas, solar, wind
6 Staples 636 101% Biogas, solar, wind
7 Starbucks 592 70% Wind
8 Lockheed Martin 546 30% Biogas, small-hydro, solar, wind
9 Apple 537 85% Biogas, biomass, geothermal,
small-hydro, solar, wind
10 Cisco Systems 459 44% Solar, wind

Source: US Environmental Protection Agency.

What a Fool believes
The use of alternative-energy sources has been picking up steam recently. With the cost per watt for a solar installation becoming a level comparable with other electricity options, more and more companies are finding that investing in alternative energy is more than just a feel-good endeavor. Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:GS) plans to invest $40 billion in alternative-energy projects over the next 10 years. The company just got off to a big start by investing $500 million in SolarCity Corp (NASDAQ:SCTY) to finance the upfront installation costs for SolarCity Corp (NASDAQ:SCTY)’s customers. Even Warren Buffett is jumping big into the solar business. Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (NYSE:BRK.B) subsidiary MidAmerican Energy will spend $5.4 billion on three major solar projects currently being constructed in the United States.

The article Is Green Energy En Vogue in Corporate America? originally appeared on Fool.com and is written by Tyler Crowe.

Fool contributor Tyler Crowe owns shares of Apple. The Motley Fool recommends Apple, Berkshire Hathaway, Cisco Systems, Goldman Sachs, Intel, Starbucks, and Whole Foods Market and owns shares of Apple, Berkshire Hathaway, Devon Energy, Intel, Lockheed Martin, Microsoft, Staples, Starbucks, and Whole Foods Market.

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