California Center for Sustainable Energy

Communications leader Qualcomm supports Solar Energy Week

Digital wireless technologies innovator Qualcomm, Inc. joined with CCSE as the co-presenter of Solar Energy Week 2009, their fourth year as a key sponsor of the event.

"We are incredibly pleased to be partnering with Qualcomm to speak to the community about solar energy, clean air and renewable lifestyles,” said Irene Stillings, CCSE executive director. “Qualcomm has demonstrated a high level of corporate environmental responsibility in reducing energy demand, using recycling methods and addressing global climate change concerns. They are a prime example of CCSE’s goals for a sustainable San Diego business.”

San Diego-based Qualcomm has 147 facilities totaling more than 6.8 million square feet operating in 15 states and 30 countries. According to Gail Welch, Qualcomm manager of sustainability, part of their corporate strategy is to consistently reduce consumption of natural resources.

“We are proud to sponsor Family Solar Day. As a company, we are sensitive and aware of the environment and want to do our part to promote sustainable practices in the community,” Welch said. “We believe it is important to reach out to families and especially children to educate them about solar energy.”

Qualcomm’s energy goals focus on reducing energy demand, maximizing energy efficiency and incorporating sustainable design and products in new construction and building retrofits. They have two 4.5 MW cogeneration systems, 500 kW of solar photovoltaic, hybrid corporate vehicles and corporate dining facilities in San Diego that are certified by the Green Restaurant Association. Qualcomm self-generates almost 90 percent of the electricity used at their Sorrento Mesa location, which includes their LEED Gold Certified “W” campus.

Since 1992, the company has implemented more than 350 separate energy-efficiency projects, resulting in an annual savings of approximately 12 million kilowatt-hours of electricity and 525,000 therms of natural gas – enough to power more than 2,000 California homes.

In addition, Qualcomm is doing its part to conserve water by using reclaimed water where possible and is proactively involved in company-wide recycling programs. Qualcomm is a charter member of the California Climate Action Registry and has voluntarily reported its greenhouse gas emissions since 2002.

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