Companies typically put solar panels on their roofs to support clean energy and cut emissions, but a growing group of them are branching out to earn profits from selling solar energy. Apple and clothing company Patagonia are leading this trend that was initiated by Google which received a license to sell energy in 2010. The falling cost of solar and implementation of government incentives have made it attractive as an alternative—and cleaner—source of electricity to businesses. Walmart, Costco, Kohl’s, Ikea, General Motors, Johnson & Johnson, McGraw-Hill and Macy’s are also among the top solar customers as measured by the megawatts installed.
More and more businesses branch out and are making money from solar
More of Today's Solutions
Earth Prize 2026 part I: teenage teams tackling big global problems
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Every year, The Earth Prize asks teenagers across the world the same question: what environmental problem would you ...
Read MoreEarth Prize 2026 part II: seaweed fabric, hornbill nests, and a healing bandage
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM This is part two of our Earth Prize 2026 coverage. Part one covered four regional winners from Ireland, ...
Read MoreHow the capital of Lithuania is turning itself into a vast open-air cafe
For many cities around the world, the need for social distancing has motivated cities to experiment with different urban planning schemes. Recently, we published ...
Read MoreThis power-free sewer treatment plant was inspired by cow stomachs
80 percent of the world’s sewage is dumped untreated into the natural environment. This is a huge health and environmental crisis, but traditional sewage ...
Read More
