Meta Platforms has signed a new renewable energy deal with Silicon Ranch to secure 100 megawatts (MW) of solar power for its first data center in South Carolina. The agreement ensures that the facility, located in the city of Templeton, will run entirely on renewable energy once it begins operations.
The Facebook owner is known for its policy of matching 100% of its global operations with renewable electricity. This latest project continues that commitment.
The solar capacity will come from Silicon Ranch’s U.S.-manufactured solar modules and panels. These parts will come from local sources. This aligns with recent federal and state efforts to boost clean energy supply chains. For Meta, the choice supports both energy sustainability and the American manufacturing sector.
Doubling Down on Net Zero: Meta’s Clean Power Play
Meta has been one of the largest corporate buyers of renewable power in the U.S. and globally. Since 2020, the company has achieved net-zero emissions for its global operations. It did this mainly by offsetting emissions with clean power purchases.
The company aims for net zero across its entire value chain by 2030. This includes emissions from suppliers, construction, and product life cycles. To reach this, Meta continues to:
- Develop or contract new solar and wind projects close to its data centers.
- Invest in renewable capacity that exceeds its immediate energy needs to ensure a stable, clean energy supply.
- Partner with local utilities and developers to add new capacity to regional grids.
By early 2025, Meta has contracts for over 10 gigawatts (GW) of renewable energy globally. This positions it as one of the leading corporate buyers of renewable energy. The map shows the company’s renewable energy projects.
The new South Carolina deal builds on this success. It also expands renewable energy in the southeastern U.S. Demand for hyperscale data centers is growing quickly in this region.
MORE ON META’s CLEAN ENERGY DEALS:
- Enbridge Powers Meta Data Centers with $900M Texas Solar Investment
- Meta Boosts Renewable Energy with 650 MW Solar Agreement
- Meta Powers U.S. Data Centers with Nearly 800 MW of Clean Energy Deal with Invenergy
- Meta and XGS Energy Launch 150 MW Geothermal Project to Power its Data Centers in New Mexico
Why Solar for Data Centers?
Data centers consume massive amounts of electricity. The International Energy Agency (IEA) reports that global data center energy consumption was about 360 terawatt-hours (TWh) in 2023. This accounts for nearly 2% of the world’s electricity demand.
With the rapid adoption of AI, machine learning, and cloud services, that figure could double by 2030.
Solar energy offers an attractive solution for companies like Meta:
- Scalability: Utility-scale solar projects can be built quickly to meet rising demand.
- Cost-Effectiveness: Solar has become one of the cheapest sources of new electricity worldwide.
- Low Emissions: Solar farms provide near-zero operational emissions, helping firms reduce Scope 2 emissions.
South Carolina provides an especially strong solar opportunity. The state ranks among the top 10 U.S. states for solar power growth, with more than 6,000 MW of installed capacity as of 2024. Favorable policies and abundant sunshine make it a natural location for Meta’s expansion.
AI’s Energy Appetite: The Race for Clean Power
The timing of this deal also reflects the industry’s race to manage AI-driven energy demand. McKinsey & Company estimates that artificial intelligence will need 124 GW of new data center capacity worldwide from 2025 to 2030. This will require trillions in investment and a sharp increase in renewable energy procurement.
Meta’s peers are already making similar moves:
- Microsoft plans to use 100% renewable electricity by 2025. They have also signed several power purchase agreements (PPAs) in the U.S. and Europe.
- Google is working toward a 24/7 carbon-free energy model, aiming to match its power use with renewable generation every hour of the day by 2030.
- Amazon Web Services (AWS) has signed contracts for over 500 renewable energy projects globally. This makes AWS the largest corporate buyer of renewable energy.
Meta’s South Carolina project signals its intent to stay competitive in both sustainability leadership and AI readiness.
Made in America: Solar Supply Chains Shine
Another important aspect of the Silicon Ranch deal is its reliance on U.S.-made solar components. This reflects a growing effort to localize supply chains for renewable energy equipment.
Federal incentives from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) have led to billions in solar manufacturing in the U.S. The total planned solar module manufacturing capacity in the U.S. could exceed 50 GW by 2025. This will cover a large part of the new projects.
For Meta, sourcing from U.S. suppliers helps reduce shipping emissions, supports domestic jobs, and ensures compliance with clean energy policies that favor domestic content. It also offers protection against supply chain issues that have impacted global solar markets lately.
The Corporate Solar Rush: Who’s Leading the Pack?
Meta’s announcement fits into a broader surge in corporate renewable energy procurement. BloombergNEF reports that companies signed 36 GW of new clean energy contracts in 2024, with the U.S. accounting for nearly half of the total.
Key trends driving growth include:
- Policy Support: Incentives such as the IRA in the U.S. and similar measures abroad.
- Investor Pressure: Shareholders increasingly demand climate action and net-zero plans.
- Customer Expectations: Businesses and consumers prefer brands aligned with sustainability.
The rise of hyperscale data centers, especially those powering AI, is expected to accelerate demand. Analysts forecast that corporate PPAs could exceed 50 GW annually by 2030, creating a major pipeline for renewable developers.
Future-Proofing AI: Meta’s Next Green Moves
The 100 MW solar deal in South Carolina boosts Meta’s renewable energy goals. It also adds credibility as the company expands its AI-powered infrastructure.
Moreover, it shows that renewable procurement is now essential for technology companies working at hyperscale, not just optional.
Looking forward, Meta is expected to expand renewable sourcing in other states and potentially explore 24/7 carbon-free energy solutions, following Google’s lead. Water conservation will likely become important, too. Public interest in the environmental impact of data centers is growing.
For the renewable energy sector, corporate demand from companies like Meta will remain a key driver. Solar developers, utilities, and manufacturers stand to benefit from the race to power the digital economy sustainably.
As data centers expand, agreements like this will be key in shaping the tech industry and the clean energy shift.
