Apple Data Center PV3 - 17.5 MW Solar PV Facility in North Carolina, USA

Apple Data Center PV3 is a solar photovoltaic (PV) facility located in North Carolina, United States, with a capacity of 17.5 megawatts (MW). Owned by Apple Inc., the plant is part of Apple's broader strategy to power its data centers with 100% renewable energy. The facility is operational and contributes to the local grid with clean electricity. The plant operates under the regulatory framework of the United States, including the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and North Carolina's Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Portfolio Standard (REPS), which requires utilities to source a portion of their energy from renewables. Solar PV technology is well-suited to the region's moderate solar resource, and the facility's scale is typical for a corporate renewable energy project. Environmentally, the facility reduces greenhouse gas emissions by displacing fossil fuel-based electricity. It also supports Apple's commitment to carbon neutrality across its supply chain and products. The plant's location near data centers minimizes transmission losses and demonstrates the integration of renewable energy with large-scale computing infrastructure.

North Carolina's solar PV facilities like Apple Data Center PV3 help reduce reliance on coal and natural gas, lowering air pollution and carbon emissions. The region's moderate solar insolation supports efficient energy generation, while land-use considerations are managed through siting on previously developed or agricultural land. The facility contributes to state renewable portfolio standards and corporate sustainability goals.