The Tennessee Valley Authority will work with two developers to build solar facilities capable of producing 377MW to power Facebook’s upcoming data center in Huntsville, Alabama.

One will be in Colbert County, Alabama, a 227MW installation from First Solar. The other will be in Lincoln County, Tennessee, a 150MW NextEra Energy Resources project.

Both will be the largest solar installations in their state.

Here comes the sun

“We are committed to supporting our operations with 100 percent renewable energy and look to partner with organizations like TVA, who offer solutions to help meet that goal,” Bryce Dalley, energy manager at Facebook, said.

“TVA has been a great, responsive partner, and we are looking forward to being a part of the community in Huntsville.”

Facebook announced its plans for Huntsville back in June - a 970,000 square feet (90,116 sq m), $750 million, data center, set to become operational in 2020.

“This announcement demonstrates TVA’s commitment to invest in renewable energy that attracts high-paying jobs to benefit the communities we serve,” Doug Perry, TVA’s vice president of commercial energy solutions, said.

“This partnership aligns the core values of TVA’s public power model with Facebook’s mission to bring the world closer together – powered by renewable energy.”