Google building major solar farm to power data center in northeast Alabama

HOLLYWOOD, Alabama (WDEF) – The data center that Google is building in Hollywood, Alabama is going to use a lot of electricity.

So on Wednesday, the company announced they are investing in greener power usage.

Google plans to buy output of several new solar farms in a deal with TVA, including a 150 megawatt operation in Hollywood.

The goal is that by the time the data centers go online, all the power they use will be carbon-free (not coal-based generation).

The new solar farms in Hollywood and West Tennessee (for their data center in Yum Yum) will be the largest ever built for Google.

In addition to bringing greener power to the southeast, the company says the project will also bring new jobs and cash.

photo credit: Aerial Innovations