Apple is not only known for its supremacy in technology, but also for its goal of having its data centers run by renewable energy, for they consume a large amount of energy. In Maiden, N.C., an Apple computing center functions entirely due to renewable energy and is powered by the nation’s largest end user owned solar array. Continuing with this legacy of theirs, Apple is now planning to build a solar farm, in order to power its new data center in Reno. This solar panel farm enabled $1 billion data center in northern Nevada will be capable of producing 18 to 20 megawatts of power.
Apple announced on Monday that the company has partnered with Nevada utility NV Energy to build a solar farm on 167 acres. The data center will be used for Apple’s cloud computing services that will be located east of Sparks.
Its also said that the new plant will generate about 43.5 MKWH of energy, a year for Sierra Pacific Power’s electric grid.
While announcing their new development, Apple said:
“All of Apple’s data centers use 100 percent renewable energy, and we are on track to meet that goal in our new Reno data center using the latest in high-efficiency concentrating solar panels. This project will not only supply renewable energy for our data center but also provide clean energy to the local power grid, through a first-of-its-kind partnership with NV Energy.”
The company has always shown a great interest in the renewable sources of energy, both for its gadgets as well as facilities. Apple was also granted a patent, back in 2011, for a product that uses solar power to charge different portable devices. Apart from Maiden, Austin, Texas; Elk Grove, Calif.; and Cork, Ireland, are also some sites where Apple is powered by 100 percent renewable energy.