A US fuel cell firm is helping its customers install its clean energy systems through a leasing scheme backed by Bank of America Merrill Lynch.

A US fuel cell firm is helping its customers install its clean energy systems through a leasing scheme backed by Bank of America Merrill Lynch.

Bloom Energy says that the new scheme will help to streamline the deployment of its solid oxide fuel cells at customer sites and eliminates the need for up-front capital investment.

Two companies – TaylorMade-adidas and Honda – have signed up to the scheme with the backing of a multi-million dollar investment from BofA Merrill.

"Bank of America Merrill Lynch has been a leader in providing capital and investment solutions for clean energy deployment," said Bill Kurtz, Chief Financial & Commercial Officer of Bloom Energy. "This program demonstrates the value in Bloom’s technology for customers and organizations looking for ways to invest and support the transition to a clean energy future."

The multi-million dollar commitment is part of the Bank of America’s $50 billion environmental business initiative, which delivers lending, equipment finance, capital markets and advisory activities, and carbon markets finance to clients around the world to help address global climate change and demands on natural resources.

"Our company has a long history of supporting innovation in energy and developing financing mechanisms to make clean energy more accessible," said Paul Omohundro, head of Global Vendor Finance for BofA Merrill. "This program extends the impact of the bank’s commitment to focusing on environmental issues and empowers other organizations to deploy clean energy on a large scale."

TaylorMade-adidas will install Bloom Energy’s fuel cell technology in its California manufacturing facility, while fuel cells will also be installed at the Honda Centre in Anaheim, California.

Other companies that are already using Bloom Energy systems to power their facilities include Google, Walmart, AT&T, eBay, Staples and Coca-Cola.