The State of Arizona and Apple have announced plans to build a manufacturing plant that will bring hundreds of new jobs to the state. The move has been heavily discussed recently due to criticisms based on working conditions in Apple manufacturing plants overseas. Perhaps one of the most exciting pieces of news to come out of the announcement is the plan for this plant to use the advantages of solar energy to create power for the facility.
Apple will construct a solar power grid specifically for the plant’s operations. It is unclear whether or not the grid will also be used to power homes or other businesses in the area, but the announcement is a major victory for solar energy supporters.
The fact that Apple has chosen solar power is a reflection of the company’s value of innovation. Solar power is the renewable energy source that more and more companies are opting to use, and Apple has shown that it wants to remain a major player in new technologies. Creating a solar grid goes beyond what companies like IKEA have done by placing solar panels on their buildings. With Apple’s appearance in the solar energy world, it is likely that other companies may follow suit.
The facility in Arizona isn’t the first US-based facility announced by the technology giant, but the move toward renewable energy is a new direction for the company. Hopefully, Apple uses this move as a stepping stone to use the advantages of solar energy in its stores and other manufacturing facilities.