Apple Buys Land in North Carolina for a New Solar Farm

[RaduTyrsina]

Apple is one of the companies who puts a great deal on renewable energy and with every new year, we see the company expand its operations with new solar farms or data centers. The most recent movement in this direction consists in the acquisition of 100 acres of land for a new 17.5 megawatt solar farm. Apple is said to spend around $55 million for the new construction.

Apple’s latest solar farm project should generate about 75 jobs, which are going to be sourced locally. According to AppleInsider, the land is currently valued at $1.4 million and Apple will be giving two parcels back to the city to be used as greenways, recreation space and other public works projects.

After Apple draws the requisite permits, takes control of the land and fulfills other development related minutiae, construction of the farm is expected to be completed in five years. The Claremont solar farm will be Apple’s third such facility in the area surrounding its Maiden, N.C. iCloud data center, which itself boasts a 100-acre solar installation putting out 20 megawatts of power. In September of 2012, the company purchased another 200 acres of land a few miles away in Conover, to be used for a second 20-megawatt farm.

Apple’s data centers are currently run at 100 percent renewable energy sources like solar and biogas, and its corporate structures are at 94 percent. But Apple doesn’t stop here, as it is looking to take brick-and-mortar Apple Stores completely off the grid, as well. These are all long-term projects for the company. The new solar farm is said to be complete in five years, which seems quite a long while if we realize how many new iPhones and iPads there will be launched until then.

Source: iPhoneForums

 

[giradman]

Conover - just west of us about an hour on I-40 - we have a short trip planned for Asheville in a few weeks, so will pass the town. Dave

 

[RaduTyrsina]

Take some pictures when the construction starts