Apple Puts $848M into Solar Farm, the Current Largest Commercial Clean Energy Deal

Apple has announced plans to construct a giant solar farm that it says will power all of its California operations – and then some. Apple is partnering with First Solar, the company behind Monterey ...
Apple Puts $848M into Solar Farm, the Current Largest Commercial Clean Energy Deal
Written by Josh Wolford
  • Apple has announced plans to construct a giant solar farm that it says will power all of its California operations – and then some.

    Apple is partnering with First Solar, the company behind Monterey County’s California Flats Solar Project. The company is investing $848 million in the project, which will see construction of a 1,300-acre solar farm in the area. First Solar’s entire California Flats Solar Project is about 2,900 acres.

    Apple will receive 130 megawatts from the deal, which is a 25-year agreement.

    “Apple is leading the way in addressing climate change by showing how large companies can serve their operations with 100 percent clean, renewable energy,” said Joe Kishkill, Chief Commercial Officer for First Solar. “Apple’s commitment was instrumental in making this project possible and will significantly increase the supply of solar power in California. Over time, the renewable energy from California Flats will provide cost savings over alternative sources of energy as well as substantially lower environmental impact.”

    According to Apple, the power generated from these new panels will power its new headquarters (the “Spaceship”), as well as a data center and its 50+ retail stores across the state. The power generated from the new solar farm has the ability to power around 50,000 homes.

    Speaking at a conference Tuesday, Apple CEO Tim Cook said “we know at Apple that climate change is real. The time for talk has passed and the time for action is now.”

    The new solar farm is expected to be completed by the end of 2016. First Solar says that it is “the largest agreement in the industry to provide clean energy to a commercial end user.”

    Image via First Solar, Twitter

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