A few years ago, the firm realized that it needed to do more with the environment, and hired Lisa Jackson, former head of the EPA, to lead the charge. Since then, the firm has pushed to power all of its facilities with renewable energy, and now generates 93 percent of its total need from green sources. This number will probably creep closer to 100 percent in the next few years, hence the desire to sell any extra capacity it has to the grid.

As people speculate on Apple's future as a consumer technology company, it's possible to miss a quiet revolution taking place behind the scenes. After all, the firm has interests in mobile payments, health research and cloud storage. It's already making serious bank from its media (iTunes, iBooks) and software stores, plus whatever money Apple Music is bringing in. With vast cash reserves and a commitment to green energy, it's plausible that Apple could become a power company without anyone noticing.