A flurry of power-supply deals between renewable-energy providers in California and private firms Apple, Google and Kaiser Permanente will mean billions in construction dollars for the state, which is already a U.S. leader in renewable-energy expansion. The deals signal that private, industrial-scale customers are playing an increasing role in wholesale renewable-energy sales, which have depended mostly on public policy for market share, says First Solar, a solar-power supplier.
Apple signed an $848-million power purchase agreement (PPA) with First Solar to buy 130 MW from the proposed 280-MW California Flats project in Monterey County. The PPA is the "largest in the industry," says Steve Krum, First Solar's business development manager.