Commercial, Solar, Sourcing Renewables  -  November 5, 2018

Facebook to power Ala. data center via two solar facilities

Facebook’s new data center, currently under construction in Huntsville, Alabama, will be powered with 100% renewable energy via the combined 377-megawatt output from two solar installations to be built in Tennessee and Alabama as the largest in each state.

The Tennessee Valley Authority announced on Nov. 2 an agreement with two solar developers for these installations. A 150-megawatt facility in Lincoln Country, Tenn., will be developed by NextEra Energy Resources. A 227-megawatt installation will be located in Colbert County, Ala., and developed by First Solar.

"We are committed to supporting our operations with 100 percent renewable energy and look to partner with organizations like TVA who offer solutions to help meet that goal," said Bryce Dalley, energy manager, Facebook. "TVA has been a great, responsive partner, and we are looking forward to being a part of the community in Huntsville."

"TVA's commitment to the environment and our diverse portfolio are among the top reasons why businesses choose to relocate to the Valley," said John Bradley, TVA's senior vice president of Economic Development. "TVA's ability to deliver large amounts of renewable, reliable energy at competitive rates makes the Valley an attractive place to do business and recruit quality jobs."

Facebook has committed to support all of its data centers and offices with 100 percent renewable energy by 2020. Their Huntsville data center was announced in June and is expected to become operational in 2020.

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