Apple commits to US$850 million PPA with First Solar

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email

PV systems provider First Solar has announced that multinational technology corporation Apple has committed US$848 million for First Solar’s California Flats Solar Project in Monterey County, California.

As a result of the partnership, Apple will collect electricity from 130MW of the installation thanks to a 25-year power purchase agreement – the largest deal in the history of the market to provide clean energy to a commercial end user.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Unlock unlimited access for 12 whole months of distinctive global analysis

Photovoltaics International is now included.

  • Regular insight and analysis of the industry’s biggest developments
  • In-depth interviews with the industry’s leading figures
  • Unlimited digital access to the PV Tech Power journal catalogue
  • Unlimited digital access to the Photovoltaics International journal catalogue
  • Access to more than 1,000 technical papers
  • Discounts on Solar Media’s portfolio of events, in-person and virtual

Or continue reading this article for free

Joe Kishkill, chief commercial officer for First Solar, said: “Apple is leading the way in addressing climate change by showing how large companies can serve their operations with 100% clean, renewable energy. Apple's commitment was instrumental in making this project possible and will significantly increase the supply of solar power in California. Over time, the renewable energy from California Flats will provide cost savings over alternative sources of energy as well as substantially lower environmental impact.”

Construction on the California Flats Solar Project is expected to commence in mid-2015 and will be completed by the end of 2016. The 1,173-hectare site will take up 3% of land owned by Heart Corporation in Cholame, California. The remaining 150MW of the plant will be sold to Pacific Gas & Electric under another power purchase agreement.

Earlier this month, Apple said it was planning 70MW of solar generation to supply a new data centre in Arizona.

Read Next

July 10, 2025
German renewables company BayWa r.e. has secured a €3 billion (US$3.5 billion) loan for 'operational initiatives and pipeline expansion.'
July 10, 2025
US renewables developer Invenergy has launched commercial operations of 250MW Fairbanks Solar Energy Center in Sullivan County, Indiana. 
July 10, 2025
US solar residential installer Sunnova has entered into a stalking horse asset purchase agreement with Omnidian for some of its assets.
July 10, 2025
A report published by the US Department of Energy (DOE) this week claims that the previous government’s support for renewable energy could cause blackouts to “increase by 100 times” by 2030.
July 10, 2025
UbiQD has signed a supply agreement with First Solar to supply its fluorescent quantum dot technology for use in the latter’s PV panels.
July 10, 2025
Copenhagen Energy has partnered with Thy-Mors Energi to set up a 100MW PV and BESS project in Ballerum, about 370km from Copenhagen. 

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Media Partners, Solar Media Events
September 2, 2025
Mexico City, Mexico
Solar Media Events
September 16, 2025
Athens, Greece
Solar Media Events
September 22, 2025
Bilbao, Spain
Solar Media Events
September 30, 2025
Seattle, USA
Solar Media Events
October 1, 2025
London, UK