Apple plans solar farm at data center site

[onehandle]

Source: Charlotte Observer

Apple has quietly begun work on a solar farm that apparently could help power its sprawling data center in southern Catawba County.

Permits issued by Catawba County show that the Cupertino, Calif., company has been approved to reshape the slope of some of the 171 acres of vacant land it owns on Startown Road, opposite the data center, in preparation of building a solar farm.

The company's website says Apple prides itself on using sustainable energy in some of its facilities. Its plants in Austin, Texas; Sacramento, Calif.; and Cork, Ireland, are 100 percent powered by renewable energy. Duke Energy, which supplies electricity to Apple in Catawba County, is predominately powered by coal and nuclear plants. Duke has solar arrays in Catawba County near the Marshall Steam Station.

The engineering plans show how the company will keep soil that it moves around the site from washing into creeks and other areas. The permit has no detail about the solar farm itself, including its size. A Charlotte firm is listed on the erosion control permit as the contractor.

Read more: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2011/10/26/2721576/apple-plans-solar-farm-at-data.html

[Tesha]

1. Already un-rec'ced by one or more someones -- how typical! (NT)

[iandhr]

2. sounds pretty cool

[Firebrand Gary]

3. I love this.

Thank you Apple.

[Uncle Joe]

4. Good, kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, onehandle.:thumbsup: