Apple to build 200-megawatt solar farm in Nevada

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One of Apple's many solar farms.
One of Apple's many solar farms.
Photo: Apple

Apple is taking another big step to make sure it can utilize 100 percent renewable energy for its operations by expanding the solar farm it uses in Nevada.

The company revealed today that it has reached an agreement with NV Energy to add infrastructure that will generate 200 megawatts of additional solar energy by 2019. Energy created by the project will go to power Apple’s Reno data center, but some of the power will also be available to residents.

Apple solar power iniatives

Solar has become an important source of energy for Apple’s data centers as the company has tried to reduce its environmental footprint. The iPhone-maker’s solar farms generate more energy than the company needs during the day, so Apple sells excess wattage to the energy company in exchange for access to the grid at night when the panels don’t generate enough electricity.

“Investing in innovative clean energy sources is vital to Apple’s commitment to reaching, and maintaining, 100 percent renewable energy across all our operations,” said Apple VP Lisa Jackson. “Our partnership with NV Energy helps assure our customers their iMessages, FaceTime video chats and Siri inquiries are powered by clean energy, and supports efforts to offer the choice of green energy to Nevada residents and businesses.”

Last year, Apple created its own energy company, Apple Energy LLC, as a way to sell some of its excess electricity to power companies and consumers. Apple’s Reno data center and the rest of its U.S. operations currently run on 100 percent renewable energy.

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