Google is investing $80 million in six new solar plants in California and Arizona that the company says will provide enough electricity for 17,000 homes in the United States.

The investment is Google's 14th in renewable energy. The company has so far put more than $1 billion behind solar and wind projects since April 2010. Google is partnering with investment firm KKR for the venture; the lead developer is Recurrent Energy.

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According to a Google blog post, the projects have a combined capacity of 106 megawatts. A typical coal power station produces 600 to 700 megawatts while a nuclear power plant puts out 900 to 1,300 megawatts.

Google currently gets 33% of its energy from renewable sources, but hopes to be 100% renewable at some point.

Image: Google