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Apple Receives Regulatory Approval for 20-Megawatt Solar Farm at North Carolina Data Center

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The North Carolina Utilities Commission today officially approved (PDF) Apple's proposal to construct a 20-megawatt solar farm across the street from its data center in Maiden, North Carolina.
The Public Staff presented this matter to the Commission at its Regular Staff Conference on May 14, 2012. The Public Staff recommended that the Commission approve the application and issue a certificate of public convenience and necessity for construction of a 20 MW solar photovoltaic electric generating facility to be located at 6028 Startown Road, Maiden, North Carolina.

After careful consideration, the Commission finds good cause to approve the application and issue the attached certificate of public convenience and necessity for the proposed 20 MW solar photovoltaic electric generating facility.
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Previous filings with federal regulators have indicated that Apple plans to have the solar farm installed by November 1, with operation to begin by December 21.

apple_maiden_data_center-500x337.jpg



Apple signaled its intentions to build a data center at the site last October, moving to clear and grade the land as it sought approval for the project. The company publicly unveiled its plans back in February, noting that the facility will be the largest user-owned solar array in the United States. A separate 5-megawatt fuel cell facility is also under development at the site and is proceeding through a parallel regulatory approval process.

The official proposal was filed with the North Carolina Utilities Commission on February 15, and was subjected to staff review of the plans, a public notice and comment period, and input from the State Clearinghouse on environmental and other issues. With that information in hand, the Commission offered its official approval this past Monday and finalized the certificate issuance today.

Article Link: Apple Receives Regulatory Approval for 20-Megawatt Solar Farm at North Carolina Data Center
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2012/05/17/apple-receives-regulatory-approval-for-20-megawatt-solar-farm-at-north-carolina-data-center/
gigapocket1

gigapocket1

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Mar 15, 2009
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I'm actually surprised that it would be up and running by end of December...


First to comment lol
 
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gnasher729

gnasher729

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Nov 25, 2005
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In other news, the British advertising agency ASA has told Greenpeace "to stop 'encouraging anti-social behaviour'". Headline in theregister: Hippies told to stop asking for money to fund vandalism.

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2012/05/17/greenpeace_asa_ruling/


JoEw said:
Is 20 mega watts a lot?
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I visited a nuclear power station ages ago. They had two ship diesel engines delivering about 25 MWatt together, for emergency power supply (in case the turbines break down, and the power lines break down, and one of the two engines cannot be started, they still have enough power to supply cooling etc. Once a day these engines get started for test purposes, and of course the electricity goes into the power grid. )
 
iZac

iZac

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Apr 28, 2003
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Great news that Apple are paving the way for responsible electrical generation!

Does anyone else find it amusing that a Solar farm is to begin operations on December 21st ... Winter Solstice - the shortest day of the year?
 
BassPlayer

BassPlayer

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Aug 12, 2011
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Forgive my ignorance, but is 20 megawatts a constant? Is it peak production? Is it over time? And just how much is the data farm expected to require? Will this 20 megawatts completely supply the data farm, essentially becoming self-sufficient, or is it still going to require electricity from "the grid"?

It sounds good, but exactly what are we talking about here?:confused:
 
WildCowboy

WildCowboy

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Jan 20, 2005
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iZac said:
Does anyone else find it amusing that a Solar farm is to begin operations on December 21st ... Winter Solstice - the shortest day of the year?
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Apparently they're planning for a soft launch.
 
bobr1952

bobr1952

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Jan 21, 2008
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basesloaded190 said:
And yet, Greenpeace will find something to complain about with this.
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So true. I am all for protecting the environment and all that but really--couldn't Greenpeace have find a better target than Apple? I mean regardless of how much energy the data center may use, it still has to be way down on the list of environmental polluters. But it is good to hear they will have a solar farm there to help with the power load. :)
 
One Bad Duck

One Bad Duck

macrumors member
Sep 18, 2005
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Power Plant?

If its a power plant - lol - why do they have so many lights on - Turn all those little lanterns at the front off and you've already saved a few watts. Cmon guys

/hehe
 
K

Konrad9

macrumors 6502a
Feb 23, 2012
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JoEw said:
Is 20 mega watts a lot?
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Yes and no. It's a lot for a single business to set up for their own personal use, it's not even a half a fraction of a drop in the bucket compared to the national power grid.
 
G

gwelmarten

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Jan 17, 2011
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England!
It's really good to see such a large and admired company leading the way and inspiring people with such a large investment in green energy.
 
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J

JHankwitz

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Oct 31, 2005
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basesloaded190 said:
And yet, Greenpeace will find something to complain about with this.
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Greenpeace is spending most of their time proving to the world how ignorant, stupid, and inept they are. And, they'll continue to get people to donate for support as long as the media sensationalizes and promotes them for free.

The truth is that this will provide the equivalent of the power (during bright sunlight) needed to run a thousand homes. Of course we're all going to have to pay big bucks when using Apple services to cover the extraordinary added cost of this electricity.
 
T

TxLoneRider

macrumors newbie
May 17, 2012
18
11
Environmentalist?

Really, 20 MegaWatt, is likely peek capacity at time of manufacture.

Solar panels can loose up to 10% of their rated value per year. They also need to be cleaned and will require maintenance.

Oh, and a backup power source. Since their is no way to store that much power.

So, 20 MW, well that could power 200,000 100Watt light bulbs, at high noon, with no clouds, and the panels are clean and new. Of course, why would you need all the light bulbs on when the sun is shining so bright :)

Seriously, solar panel energy capture does correlate well with industrial power peeks somewhat well, and correlates well with air conditioning needs and charging electric cars at work.

But correlates very poorly with home charging of electric vehicles, and person energy use.

So, has any one asked AAPL is they have a fund set up for the disposal of the used solar panels with they have outlived there usefulness?
 
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