The smartest energy strategy isn’t choosing one source: it’s building the right mix. We’re proud to announce the successful installation of a rooftop solar array at our Sacramento SAC01 data center in Rancho Cordova, California. It’s a milestone that reflects something we believe deeply: that world-class infrastructure and environmental responsibility don’t just coexist, they make each other stronger.
By generating clean, renewable energy directly on-site, we’re reducing our carbon footprint, lowering operational costs, and backing up our sustainability commitments with real action. This isn’t just good for the planet. It’s good for the reliability and performance our customers depend on every day. Here is an inside look at the technology, the impact, and the vision behind our latest step forward.
A Commitment to Clean Energy
A simple philosophy drove the decision to install solar at SAC01: our Customers, People, Planet commitment to be good stewards of planet. Data centers are the foundation of today’s digital economy, and the industry consistently strives to enhance energy efficiency and develop innovative power solutions. As we scale to meet the demands of AI and cloud computing, it is critical that we also scale our efforts to power these facilities responsibly.
Partnering with Madison Energy Infrastructure, we designed this project as a pilot to test the efficacy of on-site renewable generation. While many data centers rely on buying renewable energy credits (RECs) or on-site power purchase agreements (PPAs), producing power on the facility roof offers unique advantages. It reduces transmission losses, alleviates strain on the local grid during peak hours, and provides a visible testament to our green energy goals.
“Distributed energy infrastructure delivers meaningful cost savings, faster speed to power, and greater operational stability for businesses. We’re proud to partner with EdgeConneX to enhance their energy experience at their Rancho Cordova data center, while helping ease grid constraints and deliver value to the surrounding community.” – Cameron Bard, Chief Revenue Officer, Madison Energy Infrastructure
“EQT invests behind platforms that solve real infrastructure challenges, especially where power availability is becoming the critical path for digital infrastructure. By connecting EdgeConneX with Madison Energy Infrastructure within the EQT portfolio, we’re pairing distributed energy solutions with mission-critical data centers to help customers accelerate speed-to-power, access cleaner energy options, and gain greater grid flexibility and resiliency, while staying aligned with long-term sustainability goals.” – Girish Sankar, Managing Director, EQT
“At EdgeConneX, our commitment to innovation extends beyond technology, we’re deeply dedicated to advancing alternative energy solutions and maximizing efficiency across our operations. The SAC01 solar installation is a testament to our belief that building a sustainable digital future means investing in cleaner, smarter infrastructure today.” – Andrew Brodeur, Vice President, National Real Estate and Sustainability Team Leader – EdgeConneX
Engineered for Resilience and Safety
This isn’t just a standard solar setup; it is a high-efficiency system engineered for the specific demands of a mission-critical facility. Installing infrastructure on a data center roof requires precision. We utilized a hybrid racking system that combines mechanical anchoring with ballast. This approach ensures the structural integrity of the array without compromising the roof’s warranty or durability.
We also prioritized safety and efficiency in the power conversion process. The system uses two SolarEdge SE120K inverters paired with 247 module-level power optimizers. These optimizers allow each panel pair to operate independently. If one panel is shaded or dirty, it won’t drag down the entire string’s performance, a common issue in traditional solar setups. Furthermore, the system was designed to meet California’s rigorous building codes. It is engineered to withstand:
- High wind speeds
- Seismic Category D conditions
- Moderate hail exposure
Before installation began, our team also conducted comprehensive infrared moisture scans and roof inspections to ensure the site was perfectly prepped for the upgrade.
Tangible Environmental Impact
The numbers behind the SAC01 solar project tell a compelling story. We expect the array to generate approximately 450 MWh of clean electricity annually. To put that into perspective, that amount of clean energy offsets roughly 150–200 metric tons of CO₂ emissions each year. That is the environmental equivalent of permanently removing more than 30 gasoline-powered cars from the road.
Every kilowatt-hour generated by these panels is a kilowatt-hour we don’t need to draw from the utility grid. This directly improves our Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE), a standard metric for data center efficiency. By reducing the grid energy needed to cool and power the facility, we are making the entire operation leaner and greener.
Part of a Broader Mission
The SAC01 Solar Project is a key piece of a much larger puzzle. It directly supports our goals for ENERGY STAR certification and aligns with our global sustainability strategy.
We view this installation as a proof of concept, a demonstration of how innovation and sustainability can go hand in hand. As we analyze the performance data at SAC01, we look forward to exploring how these sustainable practices can be implemented on a larger scale across our global footprint. We are proud to share this journey with our customers and partners. By choosing EdgeConneX, they are choosing a partner who is as dedicated to the health of the planet as they are to the uptime of their applications.