Solar PV electricity provides several benefits for data center owners and operators, including enhancing their green image and corporate responsibility, hedging against volatile energy prices, and reducing operating expenses. It has become cost competitive with conventional energy sources. Additionally, the Investment Tax Credit for solar projects will decrease in 2019, so data centers should plan solar PV installations in advance to qualify for the full tax benefits and be operational before the credit steps down.

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Key Points for Solar PV procurement by Data Center
Owners/Operators
 There are 3 main reasons the corporate buyers chose to
procure solar PV electricity:
 Green image provides brand enhancement and helps
with corporate responsibility – lowers corporate
carbon footprint
 Provides an excellent hedge against volatile energy
prices
 Can save OPEX on retail energy rates
 Solar is cost competitive with conventional energy
NOW!
 The Investment Tax Credit (ITC) for solar will step-down
in 2019 – the best cost benefits will be achieved by
contracting before the ITC sunset
 Solar projects construction takes 9-18 months -
corporates buyers need to plan in advance if they want
to be online by the end of 2019