Beyond the U.S., data center operators in countries like India and South America have also turned to solar power. CtrlS established a 125-megawatt solar facility in India, and Telecom Argentina agreed to purchase electricity from a 130-megawatt solar farm.
For instance, Meta secured a 200-megawatt solar deal with Engie for a solar farm near its Texas data center. In another move, Meta closed a deal with Zelestra for 595 megawatts of solar capacity. Microsoft expanded its solar portfolio with a 389-megawatt deal with EDP Renewables, and Amazon backed a hybrid project in Spain, including solar, wind, and pumped-hydroelectric storage.
Compared to advanced nuclear reactors and new natural gas plants, solar power stands out as a proven and quickly deployable source of energy. Tech companies and data center operators have been inking significant solar deals since the beginning of 2025, with Meta, Microsoft, and Amazon leading the way.
JLL predicts that the power demand in the sector is set to double by 2029 due to new and expanded data centers. This surge has prompted developers and tech firms to secure power capacity rapidly. Solar power, despite its intermittency, has emerged as a favored choice, with companies striking major deals at a rapid pace.
The hype surrounding AI has sparked significant growth in tech companies’ data center infrastructure. This expansion has particularly benefited companies like Nvidia and created unparalleled demand in the power industry.
The trend of tech companies and data centers embracing solar power is likely to continue, given its cost-effectiveness and speedy deployment. Solar power offers a viable solution for the growing power needs of the data center industry during the AI-driven expansion era.
