Utah solar project launches to help power Meta’s data center

Construction is complete on Greenbacker’s 104 MWdc / 80 MWac Graphite Solar in Wellington, UT, supplying clean energy to Meta’s nearby data center. Photo: Greenbacker Renewable Energy Company LLC

CARBON COUNTY, Utah — Greenbacker, a green energy investment company, announced that its Graphite Solar project in Carbon County, Utah, has entered commercial operation. Project partners and local officials hosted a commissioning ceremony on July 12 to celebrate the project’s completion and the benefits it provides for the area.

The project has begun delivering solar energy to the Meta (formerly Facebook) data center in Eagle Mountain, helping the company power its operations exclusively with renewable energy.

“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.

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“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.

According to the SEIA (Solar Energy Industries Association), Utah is ranked 12th in solar energy output throughout the country (up from 16th in 2021). 10% of Utah’s electricity is solar generated. There is enough solar power in the state to power 481,245 homes. Over $3.9 billion has been invested into solar projects in the state, providing over 6,000 jobs within the solar industry.