Google has been making investments in US clean tech projects for some time, and it’s justannouncedthe first such move in Europe.
The company will make a €3.5 million (around $5m US) investment in a solar photovoltaic (PV) power plant in Germany. The plant consists of 47 hectares (116 acres) of solar panels situated in Brandenburg an der Havel, near Berlin. It has a peak capacity of 18.65MWp, putting it among the largest in the country. Google says that the plant should provide power for 5000 homes in the local area.
Last year, Googleinvested$40m in a North Dakota wind farm and also put money into aprojectdesigned to bring more such facilities to the mid-Atlantic coast. ItsGreen Investmentspage also lists over $100 million in clean tech investments by its Google.org non-profit arm.
Like itsself-driving car project, clean tech isn’t directly related to Google’s core business, but if we can do more online while our cars drive for us, and we have sustainable power sources to ensure that we stay online wherever we are, the company clearly benefits in the long run.
Story byMartin SFP Bryant
Martin SFP Bryant is the founder of UK startup newsletter PreSeed Now and technology and media consultancy Big Revolution. He was previously(show all)Martin SFP Bryant is the founder of UK startup newsletterPreSeed Nowand technology and media consultancyBig Revolution. He was previously Editor-in-Chief at TNW.
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