Apple Hires Former NV Energy VP to Serve as Renewable Energy Manager [Mac Blog]

Apple hired former NV Energy VP Bobby Hollis as its Senior Renewable Energy Manager earlier this month, according to Hollis's LinkedIn page. Hollis spent five years at electric company NV Energy in Nevada, where he served as the Vice President of Renewable Energy and Origination.

According to Mike Taylor, Director of Research at the Solar Electric Power Association, Hollis also served on the association's board before leaving NV Energy and was recently named one of Las Vegas's 40 Under Forty business leaders.

"A VP at a large utility is a pretty big position. His capabilities and experience is greater than the title at apple would belie. He was on our association's board before leaving NVE."

Hollis's duties at NV Energy included leading renewable energy efforts and creating energy supply contracts the company. It's possible he worked on contracts with Apple while still serving as VP of NV Energy, as Apple and the electric company have partnered up to build a solar panel farm next to Apple's Reno data center. The solar array, which will generate approximately 18–20 megawatts of power, is expected to be completed sometime next year.

Renewable energy is a key part of Apple's efforts to reduce its environmental impact. All of the company's data centers run on 100% renewable energy, as do 75% of its corporate facilities. Greenpeace featured Apple as a " back in early April as a result of its renewable energy policies.

Apple recently overhauled its Environmental Responsibility website and introduced a new "Better" video explaining its commitment to environmentally friendly values. The company also hired former EPA chief Lisa Jackson as its vice president of environmental initiatives back in May of 2013.