Google will hit a renewable energy milestone in 2017
Google will buy enough renewable energy in 2017 to power all of its operations, including its 13 data centers and offices in 150 cities.
As a believer in climate change, Google said it has a responsibility as a multinational business to be a steward of the environment. Google's long-term goal is to run on clean, zero-carbon energy full-time every day of the year.
Google also describes its pursuit of renewable energy as making good business sense.
Google uses power purchase agreements, in which it buys renewable energy from a wind or solar energy developers, and then sells the energy back to the grid at a wholesale price. In exchange, Google receives renewable energy certificates, which it applies to the non-renewable energy it uses to power some of its operations.
Other large companies, such as Apple (AAPL), Amazon (AMZN) and Walmart (WMT) have used similar arrangements to encourage renewable energy development.
Google signed the first of such contracts in 2010. It said these projects have spurred $3.5 billion of infrastructure investments around the world.
The company has made a significant shift to renewable energy in recent years. In 2014, 37% of its energy came from renewable. That number grew to 44% in 2015.
/Source: CNN Money/
Dec. 6, 2016