The Sun is a star, inside of which thermonuclear reactions take place in a continuous mode. As a result of these processes, a colossal amount of energy is released from the surface of the Sun, some of which heats the atmosphere of our planet.
Solar energy is the source of life on planet Earth. Our world, and all living organisms existing on it, receive energy from the sun in the form of sunlight and heat. Solar energy is a source of renewable and clean energy.
In the ongoing quest for a sustainable and clean future, the convergence of technology and renewable energy has become a critical point of convergence. Apple, one of the world’s leading tech giants, is at the forefront of this movement, actively investing in solar energy initiatives that not only provide support for their operations but also set a precedent for others to follow. This intersection of solar power and Apple is not only promising but also indicative of a broader shift toward clean innovative solar solutions.
Not only huge companies, like Apple, decided to use sustainable power sources. Nowadays, solar panel innovations or solar technology advancements are available to everyone. So, if you want to use eco-friendly energy solutions and look for a reliable solar power provider, first you should check various solar systems reviews.
The Profit of Sun Energy
Utilizing solar energy is gaining popularity year after year. This applies not only to large companies. Solar energy for homes is becoming really widespread as well. Increasingly, photovoltaic farms are also being used as private power plants. The choice of solar panels on the market also seems attractive due to the fact that, compared to the cost of electricity, prices are decreasing and efficiency is increasing. If you compare a modern 3kW solar panel kit and a kit from a decade ago, it is heaven and earth.
Solar collectors provide a renewable source of energy that remains virtually inexhaustible. Solar radiation can provide electricity and heat to homes, apartments, or businesses.
An important parameter of photovoltaic cells is insolation, i.e. the annual amount of sunlight. For solar cells to fulfill their function, they need sunlight.
Another important parameter, the theoretical potential, indicates the possibility of using solar energy for energy purposes. Geographical location, efficiency of technological data or the possibility of storing energy in collectors are also taken into account in calculating the actual potential for its consumption for municipal purposes.
Solar Energy Benefits
The usage of environmentally friendly solar energy, like most other renewable energy solutions, is called green energy integration. This means that it is friendly to nature and does not negatively affect the environment. Photovoltaics means no waste, no fossil fuel savings, and no harmful air emissions.
It is a virtually infinite renewable source.
It provides independence from current market price increases and commercial suppliers, but the reduction in energy costs requires a one-time investment. Although the PV plant and its installation cost are not cheap, however, the price decreases over the years and the cost of electricity in the market increases. Excess energy can be stored and sold to third-party suppliers. Solar energy savings can be used locally because it is everywhere. The important thing is that the sun shines.
Low maintenance costs – solar installations don’t break down, and they come with warranties for decades. By investing in the future, and then choosing photovoltaic cells for your home or company, you will be able to adapt the installation to current standards and regulations. They will intensify over the years, aiming to create more and more energy-efficient buildings.
Apple and Solar Power
Few people know, but Apple cares about the environment and spends millions of dollars on environmental initiatives. Thus, it is the largest consumer of solar energy in the United States among local companies. This is according to a new report from the Solar Energy Industries Association.
Apple came out on top in terms of available solar capacity, surpassing companies like Amazon and Target. The capacity of all of Apple’s solar initiatives reached 393 MW. Interestingly, Apple has never held the top spot before. Last year, Amazon was the leader. This year, it dropped to second place. The cumulative installed capacity of all Amazon’s solar installations to date is 329.8 MW. The retailer Target rounds out the top three with 242.4 MW of solar capacity.
Apple Is Fully Utilizing Renewable Energy
Apple has announced that all of its facilities around the world, located in 43 countries – from sales outposts, offices, data centers, and the dazzling but problematic multi-billion dollar base ship in Cupertino, California – are now powered entirely by renewable energy.
This includes wind and solar power generation, as well as new technologies such as biogas fuel cells and micro-hydro generation systems. In addition, the tech giant says nine of its manufacturing partners have committed to powering their Apple manufacturing operations with renewable energy, bringing the total number of suppliers dependent on clean energy to 23.
Apple CEO Tim Cook said that they are committed to leaving the world a better place than we found it. After years of hard work, they are proud to have reached this milestone. They will continue to push the boundaries of what is possible, using the materials they use to make their products, the ways they recycle them, and the businesses and suppliers they work with to create new creative and promising sources of renewable energy, because they know the future depends on it.
Apple, born in the late 1970s in a garage in a Silicon Valley suburb, has been aggressively embracing renewable energy for some time now. In fact, all of the company’s energy-intensive data centers have depended on clean energy since 2014. What’s more, the company’s 25 active renewable energy projects scattered around the world didn’t come to life overnight. The company expects that, when all is said and done, it has 15 more large projects in the works and can claim to produce 1.4 gigawatts of Apple and clean energy in 11 countries, including the U.S., China, India, and the U.K.
But to be clear, not every Apple outpost – such as individual stores in shopping malls – is powered directly by renewable energy. To compensate, Apple buys renewable energy certificates, or RECs, which allow the company to claim full renewable energy coverage. According to Engadget, 34% of the renewable energy consumed by Apple comes from RECs, with the rest coming directly from clean energy projects.
Apple Uses 13.7 Gigawatts of Renewable Energy
In what Tim Cook called a “huge challenge,” Apple and its global partners have increased their use of renewable energy by nearly 30 percent and continue to strive to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030.
After Cook urged suppliers to accelerate the decarbonization of product maker Apple in October 2022, Apple announced that more than 250 firms are working toward that goal by 2040.
At Apple, they are committed to carbon neutrality in their operations and are innovating every day to push even further in our urgent work to combat climate change. Together with partners around the world, they are adding even more renewable energy to power the global supply chain and investing in next-generation green technologies.
Apple said its suppliers around the world are using 13.7 gigawatts of renewable energy, nearly 30 percent more than last year. More than 250 suppliers in 28 countries, which account for more than 85% of Apple’s production, have reportedly committed to using renewable energy for all of Apple’s production by 2030.
The company also announced its green bond spending for 2022. In March 2022, Apple said it would use low-carbon aluminum in the iPhone SE for the first time ever. Apple now says it is investing in large-scale solar power, low-carbon design, energy efficiency, and carbon removal.
Last year, more than 40 manufacturing partners joined Apple’s Clean Energy for Suppliers program. Apple works with them to identify ways to reduce their carbon emissions and provides them with free educational resources and online training through the Clean Energy Academy program.
Lisa Jackson, Apple’s Vice President of Environment, Policy, and Social Initiatives, states that their new commitment to suppliers demonstrates rapid progress toward their goal of carbon neutrality by 2030. They are taking urgent action globally to unlock a greener, more innovative, and sustainable future.
The synergy of solar energy and Apple represents a powerful force that is leading us toward a more sustainable future. Apple’s sustainable practices are a testament to the company’s desire to reduce its impact on the environment. Through solar farms, iconic structures like the Apple Park Solar Canopy, and ongoing Apple’s commitment to green energy, the company demonstrates how digital solar technology and clean energy can coexist in harmony. As other corporations take notice and follow, the union of solar energy and technology promises to be a cornerstone of the future we all seek to build – one that is green, efficient, and sustainable.
