20 celebrities that have chosen to go solar

The list continues to grow of celebrities that are taking up renewable energy, helping combat climate change and generally supporting sustainable lifestyles.

There are a number of actors who have chosen to install solar panels on their houses or use other forms of renewable energy production for their homes. One sign of this green trend in Hollywood is the number of stars who have signed up to the Solar Neighbors programme, started more than 10 years ago by the actor Edward Norton with the aim of bringing renewables to low-income households in Los Angeles.

The project states that every time a celebrity buys solar panels for their home, BP Solar installs a solar system for a low-income family in the city. The list of celebrities involved has grown enormously over the past 10 years.

Moreover, many stars of screen and stage have taken up environmental causes, most notably Leonardo DiCaprio, famed for having become an ardent supporter of the fight against climate change, and British actress Emma Thompson who campaigned against Shell’s exploration of the Arctic.

 

Check out the “Celebrity Solar” page on Pinterest.

Here are 20 VIPs who have chosen to go solar:

Edward Norton not only chose solar power for his home, but set up the Solar Neighbors programme.

Salma Hayek, nominated for an Oscar for the film Frida in 2003, and the American actor and screenwriter Owen Wilson are also well known backers of Norton’s initiative.

Tom Hanks is among the actors involved in Solar Neighbors.

 

Aside from his involvement in Solar Neighbors and the Make It Right Foundation, Brad Pitt has supported the building of eco-friendly houses after the devastation left by Hurricane Katrina when it struck New Orleans in August 2005.

 

Daryl Hannah, actress and director, is another famous environmental activitist who protested both against the construction of a coal mine and against the building of an oil pipeline, so it’s no surprise she’s involved in Solar Neighbors too.

 

It should be no surprise that the star of the US show “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” is also a big fan of solar power. Danny Devito and his wife Rhea Perlman are among the biggest celebrity backers of solar.

 

Pierce Brosnan, famous of having been James Bond, installed solar panels on his villa in Malibu and has been inducted into the National Environmental Hall of Fame. There he is joined by vegan and electric car enthusiast Ed Begley, Jr. whose home runs on both solar and wind power. The actor is famous for using a bicycle that generates electricity for his toaster and for having an annual power bill that comes to only $300 – the rest is covered by his own production.

 

Don Cheadle, actor and producter, has also joined the Solar Neighbors initiative. Jim Carrey thinks the power of solar is no joke just like Will Ferrell, another great supporter of sun-kissed energy production. Among the actresses to have signed up to Edward Norton programme is Scarlett Johansson.

 

Leonardo DiCaprio has been involved in a variety of projects combatting climate change and set up the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation to promote a more sustainable future. The actor is so inspired by the cause that he decided to power the set of his film “Inception” with solar energy.

 

Singer-songwriter Jack Johnson is a serious environmentalist. His annual eco-minded musical festival in Hawaii draws thousands of people a year. With his wife, he created the Kokua Hawaii foundation in 2004 to support environmental education in Hawaii’s schools and communities. Weird Al Yankovic, singer and comic, is also a backer of solar energy.

 

When she’s not on the big screen, Rachel McAdams is far from a “Mean Girl.” She’s ultra-eco-friendly, making sure to bike for errands, unplugging unused appliances and driving an electric car. More importantly, she uses solar energy for her home.

 

Julia Roberts’ Malibu home is powered by solar, this Pretty Woman is a fan of solar energy. Cate Blanchett not only powers her own home with solar, but she has also helped the Sydney Theatre Company install solar panels.

 

Johnny Depp, supports solar energy. He has transformed his personal island into a self-sustained oasis ran on hydrogen solar cells.

 

 

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