Chanel Collaborating With Sunrun For Solar Power

• Through a $35 million financing arrangement with Sunrun, Chanel will contribute to deployment of 30 MW of solar power in California
• Sunrun will install this capacity on affordable multifamily properties for some 30,000 low income residents in the state
• The partnership aims to bring down energy costs of these families by up to $40 to $50 a month with the help of solar power

Global luxury products brand Chanel will invest $35 million to provide access to solar energy to some 30,000 low income residents in California in a partnership with residential solar services provider Sunrun Inc. It should translate into solar power system installations worth 30 MW on affordable multifamily properties throughout California.

The financing will enable these families save energy costs of up to $40 to $50 a month while also supporting over 20,000 hours of vocational job training and certifications for disadvantaged communities in the 1^st year.

Under its low and moderate income solar offering, over the next decade Sunrun plans to develop 100 MW of solar on affordable multi-family housing in California where 80% of tenants fall below 60% area median income.

"Chanel's investment will help disadvantaged communities gain access to clean, reliable solar energy," said Sunrun Co-Founder and CEO, Lynn Jurich. "This innovative approach to corporate social responsibility will make an impact today and hopefully become a model for other companies to invest in our planet's future."

Sunrun is officially set to become the largest residential solar power company in the US after its planned acquisition of Vivint Solar comes through (see Sunrun To Acquire Vivint Solar For $3.2 Billion).

For RE100 member Chanel, this investment is in line with its Global Climate Strategy, Mission 1.5°C wherein it has committed to lower its carbon emissions across its value chain to contribute to Paris Climate Agreement. As part of its RE100 commitment, Chanel aims to transition to 100% renewable electricity for its owned operations by 2025 with an interim target of 97% renewable energy by 2021. As of 2019, the brand says it sourced 41% of its electricity from renewable sources.