Greenbacker Utah solar project powers Meta data center

Greenbacker Renewable Energy Company‘s 104-MW_DC/80-MW_AC Graphite Solar project in Carbon County, Utah has entered commercial operation.

Credit: Greenbacker Renewable Energy Company

Greenbacker joined project partners and local officials at a July 12 commissioning ceremony hosted by developer rPlus Energies to celebrate the project’s completion.

“It’s very special that Graphite Solar can play a role in helping Carbon County diversify its contributions to the local energy infrastructure,” said Charles Wheeler, CEO of Greenbacker. “A place with a long history of power production is now home to Greenbacker’s largest operating clean energy project.”

The project has begun delivering solar energy to Facebook parent company Meta’s data center in nearby Eagle Mountain.

“Bringing new renewable energy and investment to communities where we operate is a priority for Meta,” said Urvi Parekh, director of renewable energy at Meta. “We appreciate the partnership with rPlus and Greenbacker that is delivering this new solar energy to the Utah grid in support of our local operations.”

Graphite has a long-term power purchase agreement with PacifiCorp on behalf of Meta. The contract was developed under Rocky Mountain Power’s Schedule 34 green energy tariff, which helps sizable energy consumers source renewables to meet their clean energy targets.

Greenbacker, rPlus and project EPC Sundt Renewables have also invested in the community and its workforce with a scholarship program. The Local First Scholarship – Graphite Solar program provides $75,000 to students who reside in Carbon County and who plan to pursue their career goals locally after completing their certificate or degree.

“A lot of work, dedication, and collaboration has been made to get to this point,” said Luigi Resta, rPlus president and CEO. “We are immensely proud that we can contribute to the continuation of the energy legacy that is Carbon County.”

Greenbacker acquired Graphite Solar from rPlus in December 2020, contracting with the developer to manage the project through construction. Construction involved installing 1.5 miles of transmission lines and 257,700 solar modules and supported 273,800 hours of construction labor.

Greenbacker’s fleet of clean energy projects comprises over 2.6 GW of generating capacity (including Graphite and assets that are to be constructed).

News item from Greenbacker Renewable Energy Company

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Original Source: https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2022/07/greenbacker-utah-solar-project-powers-meta-data-center/