Solar Panels for Data Centres
Data Centres Solar Panels Installed by Spirit Energy
Award Winning Solar Installers since 2010

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Why Choose Solar for Data Centres

Data centres are among the most energy-intensive facilities in the world, with servers, cooling systems, and backup infrastructure running 24/7. A solar powered data centre can generate clean electricity on-site, cut reliance on the grid, and stabilise long-term operating costs.

By adopting solar data centre solutions, operators lower their carbon footprint and move closer to achieving net zero data centre status – a critical priority for clients and investors focused on sustainable IT.

Integrating solar power enables data centres to lead on efficiency, sustainability, and innovation across the digital economy.

Does Solar Make Sense for Data Centres?

A solar-powered data centre isn’t only about cutting bills – it’s about strengthening energy resilience and future-proofing mission-critical infrastructure. As national grids face greater strain from electrification and rising IT demand, generating power on-site through rooftop or ground-mounted PV arrays helps reduce dependence on the grid and exposure to power outages or voltage fluctuations.

By integrating solar with battery storage, operators create a reliable source of uninterruptible power that supports UPS systems, cooling plant, and other redundant power infrastructure essential to uptime. This approach demonstrates leadership in renewable adoption and ESG compliance, reassuring clients who expect secure, low-carbon hosting environments. Together, solar and storage enhance load balancing, strengthen business continuity, and position data centres as innovators in sustainable digital operations.

What is the Payback Period for Data Centre Solar?

Data centres typically achieve a solar payback period in the range of 2-4 years, depending on system size, energy tariffs, and the proportion of power used on-site. Their constant server and cooling system operations drive self-consumption rates to 100% for most cases, maximizing return on investment far beyond other sectors due to limited roof space constraining solar output.

Factoring in rising electricity prices and potential incentives, solar PV delivers 35-45% internal rates of return for data centers, providing low-cost power long after payback.

See financing options for your project here.

How a Solar Data Centre Strengthens ESG Credentials

Solar power also helps data centres strengthen relationships with clients and investors who increasingly demand transparency on environmental performance. Many enterprise customers now assess the carbon intensity of their digital supply chain, and a solar powered data centre provides a clear, measurable way to demonstrate progress.

On-site generation can be tracked and reported in real time, supporting ESG disclosures and compliance with tightening regulations. This not only builds trust but also differentiates operators in a competitive market where sustainability credentials are becoming a key factor in winning contracts.

There are many advantages to installing solar panels on your data centre:

Lower operating costs – Solar reduces reliance on grid electricity, cutting one of the biggest overheads for data centres.
High self-consumption efficiency – With servers and cooling systems running 24/7, most of the solar energy is used on-site, maximising value.
Energy resilience – On-site generation makes data centres less vulnerable to grid volatility, and pairing solar with batteries strengthens backup capacity.
Progress toward net zero – Solar directly reduces Scope 2 emissions, supporting compliance with ESG targets and sustainability reporting.
Client and investor appeal – A solar powered data centre demonstrates leadership in green innovation, attracting contracts from eco-conscious enterprises.
Future-proofing – With grid capacity under pressure, generating clean power on-site helps data centres expand without being limited by local network constraints.
Improved cooling efficiency – Panels can shade roof surfaces, lowering heat gain and easing cooling loads.
Asset value and reputation – Facilities with renewable energy integration are more attractive to buyers, tenants, and strategic partners.

Yes. Solar can work alongside diesel or gas backup systems, reducing their runtime and fuel costs. Many operators are now combining solar, batteries, and traditional generators for a hybrid energy setup.

A typical 1 MW solar PV system requires around 5,000–6,000 m² of roof or ground space, making large data centres with expansive flat roofs well-suited for solar installations.

Yes. Panels mounted on roofs can provide shading, lowering roof surface temperatures and slightly reducing cooling demand — a useful side benefit in addition to energy generation.

Both. Colocation centres benefit from the marketing and cost savings, while hyperscale operators can use large ground-mounted solar farms to offset significant portions of their energy demand.

Data centres can access several financing routes for large-scale solar projects, including power purchase agreements (PPAs), hire purchase, and capex. These options allow operators to reduce upfront costs, spread investment over predictable terms and improve energy resilience without major capital expenditure.

The Value of Large-Scale Solar Projects

Large solar installations can deliver transformative savings for energy-intensive businesses. For example, Spirit Energy installed a 1.5 MW solar PV system for Philip Dennis Foodservice, spread across multiple sites. Together, the arrays generate over 1.3 million kWh of electricity per year, saving the company more than £200,000 annually on energy bills while cutting hundreds of tonnes of CO₂ emissions.

For data centres big solar projects like this show what’s possible. With large roof areas or available land, operators can install systems in the hundreds of kWp or even MW scale, offsetting a major share of electricity consumption. The result is faster payback, stronger long-term ROI, and a clear path toward net zero, all while locking in protection against future energy price rises.

This year, Spirit Energy installed over 300 kWp of solar power systems for data centres.

Solar PV Experts

With energy costs continuing to rise and the pressure to meet sustainability targets, switching to solar is a practical way to cut running expenses and show a clear commitment to sustainable operations.

Spirit Energy specialises in solar for golf courses, offering clear advice on system design, expected performance and the financial returns you could achieve.

Spirit Energy's 100% in-house design and installation team helps businesses make the most effective use of their roof area and tailors solutions that fit both their budget and long-term plans. Installations are built with future expansion in mind, allowing additional capacity to be added as needs grow.

Vishal Giga
Operations Director

Joined Spirit in 2010

Vishal joined Spirit Energy a few months after Erica and Ian founded the business in 2010 as a project manager, and is now our Operations Director. All of our project managers and installers are in-house, and Vishal oversees them all and is in charge of making sure that every project goes smoothly and is installed on time. Vish has a wealth of experience with both commercial and residential projects, and directly manages every commercial project that we do, including our installations at Philip Dennis Foodservice in April 2024, and Hansgrohe's headquarters in September 2024.

Justin Parsons
Head of Installations

Joined Spirit in 2010

Justin is the backbone of the company and part of the leadership team. He has overall responsibility for the installers, electrical design and sign off of all systems as well doing a technical and structural survey for every project to ensure we can manage each job perfectly. His devotion and meticulous attention to detail has helped build Spirit into the reputable and trustworthy brand we are today.

You will most likely meet Justin on your technical & structural survey where he will plan your entire installation and run you through every minute detail.

Although care is taken to ensure that the information on our website (www.spiritenergy.co.uk) and any guides, calculators or checklists provided by us, electronically or otherwise, are accurate and up-to-date, we cannot accept any responsibility for mistakes or omissions. We enter into no express or implied conditions, warranties, terms or representations regarding the quality, accuracy or completeness of the information. We exclude to the extent lawfully permitted all liability for loss or damage, whether direct, indirect or consequential arising out of your use of our website or any guides, calculators or checklists provided by us, or from any information or omission contained in our website or any guides, calculators or checklists provided by us.