Apple Moves Towards a Solar Future
From music, to mobile phones and tablet technology, Apple have changed the way we live, work and play. And true to form, they’re about to take things to a whole other level.
Admitting that global warming is a real and continuing threat, they’re getting behind commercial solar – in a big way.
Announcing Tuesday that they’ve committed nearly US$850 million ($1.09 billion) to help build a solar energy farm to generate power for its California facilities, they’re taking control of their energy use and production.
The announcement was made by Apple Chief Executive Tim Cook at a technology conference hosted by Goldman Sachs. Revealing their partnership with First Solar to construct the 1300 acre plant, he admitted the project’s one of their most ambitious to date. To be built in Montery County, the plant will power Apple’s two campuses, data center, as well as all 52 Apple Stores in California.
Why did Apple make the move to solar?
According to Cook: “We know at Apple that climate change is real. Our view is that the time for talk is past and the time for action is now.”
But money also talks, with Cook admitting that the project will generate massive savings for Apple, via their US$848 million investment in a 25 year lease on 130 megawatts of solar power - enough to power 50,000 homes.
But that’s not their prime motivation. According to Cook, they’re making the move because it’s the right thing to do. Already powering their data centers with renewable energy, this move is a logical next step for the environmentally aware tech giant.
And it hasn’t gone unnoticed.
Greenpeace Senior IT Sector Analyst Gary Cook said in response to the announcement: “It’s one thing to talk about being 100 percent renewable powered, but it’s quite another thing to make good on that commitment with the incredible speed and integrity that Apple has shown in the last two years.”
According to Greenpeace, Apple still has a way to go in reducing its carbon footprint, but is setting an example other Fortune 500 companies would be wise to heed given the urgency of our climate crisis.
And they’re not the only ones applauding the move.
Apple’s partner in the project, Arizona based First Solar stated in a press release that: “Apple’s commitment was instrumental in making this project possible and will significantly increase the supply of solar power in California.”
Construction is expected to begin by the middle of this year, with completion slated for the end of 2016. PG&E are also contracted to receive the remaining 150 megawatts the farm will produce, ensuring no energy will go to waste.
Apple’s move demonstrates that increasing solar is becoming a mainstream choice for businesses. In Australia, many businesses are taking advantage of solar power to lower the amount of energy that need to purchase from the grid.
Over the past 5 years Infinite Energy has assisted many businesses to lower their electricity costs and their exposure to rising electricity prices by installing on-site commercial solar power. One of Perth’s best known organisations, the RAC, has commissioned Infinite Energy to install a 100kw at its iconic Perth headquarters.
If you’d like to follow the lead of Apple, the RAC and many other businesses that are effectively using commercial solar power to lower their electricity costs contact one of Infinite Energy’s expert Energy Consultants for a no obligation assessment.
