Following UPS move towards solar PV, Amazon has become the latest giant in the logistics and fulfilment sector to deploy large scale solar PV systems. The online giant has announced plans to put solar panels on the roofs of more than 15 fulfilment and sorting centres in the United States this year, with 50 more to have the systems globally by 2020.

“As our fulfilment network continues to expand, we want to help generate more renewable energy at both existing and new facilities around the world in partnership with community and business leaders,” said Dave Clark, Senior Vice President of Worldwide Operations.

“We are putting our scale and inventive culture to work on sustainability—this is good for the environment, our business and our customers. By diversifying our energy portfolio, we can keep business costs low and pass along further savings to customers.”

The initial solar projects planned for completion by the end of 2017 will generate up to 41 megawatts (MW) of power at Amazon facilities in California, New Jersey, Maryland, Nevada and Delaware.

Apex Insight reported earlier this year how UPS has made a similar move to Amazon. With the costs of solar energy plummeting, it seems that solar isn’t just seen as a ‘green alternative’ but as a very efficient add to a mixed source energy generation programme. In short, solar is competing with fossil fuels as a reliable and effective energy source in many cases and even in the changing political climate away from all things green, seems to be a serious player in energy generation.  
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