Mark Walker
Managing Director, Corporate Community Affairs
Applied Materials, Inc.
2011 Corporate Philanthropy
Moving into a new home is an exciting day for any family but especially for habitat for humanity families in Silicon Valley, California, who are not only getting their first home but a cutting-edge solar-powered residence that will save them 75 percent or more on their electricity bills.
Since 2009, Applied Materials has supported a partnership between habitat for humanity Silicon Valley and economic and environmental sustainability nonprofit GRID Alternatives. GRID Alternatives’ flagship Solar Affordable housing Program trains and leads teams of job trainees and other community volunteers to install solar electric systems for low income families throughout California.
With the help of 200 Applied Materials employees contributing 1,700 volunteer hours, plus community investment grants from Applied Materials, GRID Alternatives has installed 14 rooftop solar panel power systems on habitat homes in the South Bay area over the past two years. These projects will offset basic power needs with solar power by providing an estimated 1.8 million kilowatt hours of energy, which will generate savings of $311,000 for all of the families over the 30-year lifetime of the systems. The installed solar panels will also prevent 1,250 tons of GhG emissions – the equivalent of planting 970 trees in the neighborhood.
For GRID Alternatives, the program generates “triple bottom line” results: measurable, long-term financial benefits for low-income families struggling to keep up with monthly expenses; real-world, handson experience for local employers such as Applied Materials whose employees are able to see the end result of the solar technology; and environmental benefits through the elimination of greenhouse gas emissions and support for solar power as a mainstream solution for our local communities.
For Applied Materials, the world’s largest supplier of photovoltaic solar manufacturing equipment, the program reflects its commitment to making a positive social contribution by leveraging the company’s resources to improve people’s lives.
Applied Materials, Inc.
Corporate Headquarters: Santa Clara, California
Website: www.appliedmaterials.com
Primary Business: Semiconductor, LCD display and solar equipment manufacturing and services
Employees: 13,000 worldwide
