Apple seeks to sell its excess solar power at market rates

In addition to iPhones and Macbooks, Apple could start selling consumers another desired product — energy.

The technology giant filed a tariff application to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on Monday asking to sell energy that it makes at solar plants and other renewable energy facilities, including biogas and hydroelectric plants, to consumers at a market-based price. Apple made the request through Apple LLC, an energy subsidiary stationed in Delaware operated entirely by Apple headquarters in California.

Private companies are currently allowed to sell their excess power, but can only sell to energy companies at wholesale rates. However, Apple states because the company lacks horizontal and vertical market power among energy companies — meaning because Apple does not control inputs to energy power production or pose a threat to energy companies — they should be allowed to sell at market price.

“Applicant seeks the same blanket authorization and waivers of the Commission’s rules and filing requirements previously granted to other entities authorized to transact at market-based rates,” the tariff reads.

Apple has requested the tariff be granted within 60 days of the filing. Apple did not respond to a request for comment.

Green Mountain Power, the first U.S. utility to sell Tesla home batteries to its customers, also sells renewable energy to homeowners, which Apple could do if the tariff is granted. 9to5Mac, an Apple blog that earlier reported on Apple’s FERC filing, writes it “wouldn’t be a stretch” to see Apple follow in the footsteps of Green Mountain Power.

Apple facilities around the world operated with 93% renewable energy in 2015, and Apple aims to operate at 100% as stated on its website. The company is 100% renewable in countries such as China, Germany and the USA, and is 100% renewable in all data centers.

The company issued a $1.5 billion green bond dedicated to financing environmental projects, becoming the first American tech company to issue such a bond. Apple says it also uses recycled or sustainable paper in 99% of its packaging and switched from plastic to paper bags for selling products in April.