Big Tech’s Race for the Sun
The tech industry’s rapid embrace of artificial intelligence (AI) has created a voracious hunger for data center capacity, casting a spotlight on the need for sustainable and reliable power sources. Enter solar power, the secret sauce powering the new digital renaissance!
As a tech investor, watching the sun rise on this domain is exhilarating. Solar power isn’t new, but its newfound mojo lies in how swiftly it addresses the growing energy demands of tech behemoths.
Meta’s 200-Megawatt Solar Deal
Meta, fresh off its rebrand, isn’t just catching headlines for its social media escapades. The company spearheaded 2025 with a massive 200-megawatt solar deal with Engie, injecting solar power directly into its Texas data centers. A tip of the hat to innovation staying true to green roots!
January Revelations: A Solar Surge
When January hit, the tech world took stock and positioned itself for the year’s advancements. This time, as a surprise to many, was all about the sun.
Meta again shines brightly, rolling out another chunky 595-megawatt contract with Zelestra in January. OpenAI, not one to be eclipsed, partnered with Oracle and SoftBank Group, ensuring their Stargate AI project had plenty of solar juice. It’s hard not to marvel at their vision—an assertive pivot that others could learn from.
February’s Forward March: A Sustained Solar Embrace
Just when you thought things might calm down, February revved it up! Solar commitments grew as tech legend Microsoft joined the fray, pumping 389 megawatts of solar energy into its ecosystem courtesy of EDP Renewables. Even Amazon diversified its Energy Ring, tying up 212 megawatts of solar capacity on the Iberian Peninsula.
These titans, leading by example, are charting the course for a clean energy-dependent digital future. But solar ambition knows no borders. India’s CtrlS and South America’s Telecom Argentina took significant strides, ramping up their solar outputs. It’s refreshing to witness such commitments across continents, showcasing solar power as a global connector.
Marching Towards Green: March Moves and More
By March, the sole act of harnessing some solar rays has become a movement. Microsoft, doubling down on the green revolution, expanded across three states, gaining an additional 475 megawatts through AES.
But it wasn’t just the high-flyers like Microsoft. Enter Cisco, a perennial tech favorite, which penned a deal for 100 megawatts with X-Elio. This move, though quieter, underscores why the tech industry is a rightful poster child for sustainable endeavors.
Even away from the US spotlight, Italy’s Data4 showed commitment with their deal to secure 148 megawatts from Edison Energia. It screams commitment and foresight—the demand for AI and digital services isn’t a temporary trend, and powering these needs sustainably is going to be star-studded.
The Solar Edge: Why It’s Winning
Utility-scale solar is rapidly distinguishing itself in a competitive energy market—fast to deploy, cost-effective, and dare I say, stylishly green. Unlike other technologies, solar can be rolled out in phases, giving companies flexibility. This dynamism, in a constantly evolving tech world, is invaluable.
As an expert, this sustainable leap continues to solidify solar energy’s place from innovation afterthought to power mainstay. As we eagerly await further advancements, one thing rings true—solar energy is the bright future the tech industry is willing to bet on. The question will not be whether to go solar but to what extent.