This year, Verizon will install 10.2 megawatts (MW) of new solar systems at eight Verizon facilities located in five states, including California, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey and New York.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Verizon Communications Inc., a global leader in delivering broadband and other wireless and wireline communications services to consumer, business, government and wholesale customers, today announced plans to nearly double its capacity to generate clean, reliable and affordable solar energy. This year, Verizon will install 10.2 megawatts (MW) of new solar systems at eight Verizon facilities located in five states, including California, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey and New York.

"This is a significant investment by Verizon, which will provide a boost to the economy, as well as the environment," said Rhone Resch, president and CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA). "Long a world leader in telecommunications services, Verizon is quickly becoming a leader in the deployment of green energy, too. When these projects are completed, Verizon will have nearly 16 MW of installed solar capacity, ranking it among the Top 10 companies in the United States. We commend Verizon on its commitment to the environment, and doing what's best for current and future customers."

SEIA board member company, SunPower Corporation, based in San Jose, CA, will design and install all of Verizon's new solar systems. According to Verizon, "the new equipment, consisting of high-efficiency rooftop, parking-structure and ground-mounted solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, will vary from site to site."

Today, solar is the fastest-growing source of renewable energy in the United States, employing 143,000 Americans, pumping $15 billion a year into the U.S. economy and helping to reduce pollution.