Apple to spend $850 million on solar panel project

On Tuesday, Apple announced a 2,900-acre solar panel farm could break ground in Monterey County soon. Project managers with First Solar said Apple is dedicating $850 million in clean energy technology through a project called First Solar’s California Flats Solar Project, providing 130 megawatts under a 25-year power purchase agreement.

First Solar said the project will provide Apple with enough electricity to power its operations. The company said this would be the largest agreement in the solar industry to provide clean energy to a commercial user.

On Tuesday, the Monterey County Board of Supervisors will review the project and consider final approval after the planning commission approved it in January.

The project is slated for construction on property owned by Hearst Corporation in Cholame, California. First Solar said construction is set to start mid-2015 and to be finished by the end of 2016.

Part of the agreement also names Pacific Gas and Electric as a recipient.