Intel has contracted new solar installations aimed at generating approximately 2.5 MW of energy.

 

The chip giant also says it has increased its renewable energy credit (REC) purchases by 10%, now covering 51% of its US electricity use.

 

It expects to buy more than 1.43 billion kilowatt hours in 2010, and has been again named the largest voluntary purchaser of green power by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

 

Intel said it expects to complete the eight new solar installations over the next seven months. Each project would currently rank as one of the 10 largest solar installations in its respective region if activated today, and all of the installations will use the power generated at the site, minimizing energy lost in the grid.

 

“These commitments reflect Intel's continued focus on energy efficiency and conservation programs that will help achieve its 2012 goals related to water use, global-warming emissions, energy consumption, waste reduction and product energy efficiency,” the company said in a statement.