Intel's new $1 billion chip factory in Vietnam, about 10 miles from downtown Ho Chi Minh City, embraces environmental and sustainability measures far beyond those required by Vietnam's laws.

Intel didn't have to go to these lengths, but the motivation for these measures is simple, said the complex's general manager: "It turns out, what's good for the environment is also good for business."

Opened in 2010, the complex has the country's largest solar array and a water-reclamation system that could help reduce water consumption as much as 68 percent.

The 1,092 photovoltaic panels on the roof of the Vietnam Assembly and Test Factory is expected to generate about 321,000 kWh per year that will be consumed directly by the factory, reducing the flow from the local electrical grid.

(READ the story in the New York Times)