Google has backed one of the largest solar projects in the US, located in Texas, marking a significant step in clean energy. The project is expected to power Google’s data centers and cloud services.

A New Solar Milestone: Google-Backed Project Shines in Texas


In a significant boost to the US renewable energy sector, one of the nation’s largest solar projects was officially launched in Texas on Friday, supported by a substantial investment from Google. The tech giant, known for its ambitious sustainability initiatives, announced that this project represents its largest-ever purchase of solar energy.

During the inauguration ceremony, held two hours south of Dallas, Ben Sloss, a top Google executive, emphasized the company’s commitment to sourcing renewable, carbon-free electricity. "Google has a responsibility to not only operate sustainably but also bring renewable energy projects online that will support our future needs," Sloss stated. He further revealed that Google plans to invest $16 billion globally by 2040 to purchase clean energy for its operations.

A Step Forward for US Renewable Energy


The solar project comes in alignment with the Biden administration’s efforts to promote clean energy across the US. U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm, who attended the event, praised the initiative as a historic moment in the nation's energy transition. “We are in the midst of history in the making,” Granholm declared, stressing the importance of accelerating the development of renewable energy sources within the US.

The project, developed by SB Energy, consists of three adjacent solar farms collectively called the Orion Solar Belt. Located in Buckholts, Texas, these farms will provide a combined total of 875 megawatts of clean energy—equivalent to the power output of a typical nuclear plant.

Google’s partnership with clean energy developers across Texas has led to the creation of more than 2,800 megawatts of new wind and solar projects, surpassing the energy needs of its operations in the region. This initiative further solidifies Texas as a hub for renewable energy projects in the US.

Powering Data Centers with Clean Energy


Tech giants like Google, Amazon, and Microsoft have been making headlines for their investments in alternative energy sources to meet the growing demand for carbon-free electricity. These companies are particularly focused on powering data centers, which are notorious for their high energy consumption. Google’s latest solar investment will see approximately 85% of the energy generated by the project used to support its data centers in Ellis County and cloud computing services in the Dallas region.

The solar energy not used directly by Google will feed into the state's electricity grid, further supporting Texas’s growing renewable energy infrastructure.

The Challenge of Growing Energy Demand


The rising demand for energy, driven by the expansion of data centers, artificial intelligence, and the electrification of buildings and vehicles, is putting pressure on global power grids. According to the International Energy Agency, electricity consumption by data centers could exceed 1,000 terawatt-hours by 2026, more than double the figure recorded in 2022. To put that into perspective, a single terawatt-hour is enough to power 70,000 homes for a year.

Google’s ongoing investments in Texas reflect its commitment to meeting these challenges head-on. In August, the company announced plans to invest over $1 billion in the state this year alone to bolster its cloud infrastructure and expand its data center operations.

A Solar-Powered Future


Google's data centers in Midlothian and Red Oak, Ellis County, will soon benefit from the energy generated by the solar farms, marking a major step forward in the company’s drive for sustainability. Thousands of sheep currently graze the fields surrounding the solar panels, helping maintain the vegetation and adding a pastoral touch to this high-tech energy solution.

During the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Sloss reflected on the magnitude of the project. “This started as a simple spreadsheet and a series of emails, but standing here today, looking at the massive field of solar arrays, it’s truly breathtaking. We’ve achieved something remarkable together,” he said.

The majority of the components for the solar farms were manufactured in the United States, thanks in part to incentives provided by the Inflation Reduction Act, which has spurred clean energy production. SB Energy anticipates that this project will be among the first to qualify for additional tax credits for using locally produced materials.

With this landmark project, Texas is positioning itself as a key player in the US's renewable energy future, while Google continues to lead the charge in corporate sustainability initiatives.