Eden Project installs UK’s first employee-owned solar plant

The Eden Project Biomes taken late at night

New solar array in Cornwall hopes to make the case that renewable energy is not just for well-off householders

A new 50 kilowatt PV array at the Eden Project has just become the UK’s first employee owned renewables installation. Ebico, the Witney-based social enterprise that is the UK’s only not-for-profit electricity supplier, lent money to a new company that put 200 panels on the roofs of some of Eden’s storage buildings. Employees are now able to buy shares in the new business and the proceeds of this unique offer will be used to pay back Ebico. Savers putting in as little as £200 each will share in the feed-in tariff income for the next 25 years. Returns are projected to be over 10% per year for small investors. … Continue Reading

Apple To Construct USA’s Largest End-User Owned Solar Farm

Apple's server-farm will now be powered by solar in its surrounding 100-acres

After rumours swirled for months, Apple has confirmed it will be constructing a 20MW solar farm.

Apple revealed the first details on its plans not in a press release, but in its Facilities Report – 2012 Environmental Update (PDF) published yesterday.

To help meet the energy needs of its new data center in Maiden, North Carolina; Apple says it is “building the nation’s largest end user–owned, onsite solar array” on 100 acres of land surrounding the data center. … Continue Reading