Meta Secures 1 GW of Solar Power
Meta signed three agreements in the U.S. this week to acquire nearly 1 gigawatt of solar energy, advancing its efforts to power data centers and reduce its carbon footprint.
Significant Solar Capacity Added in 2025
These deals increase Meta’s total solar capacity purchases to over 3 gigawatts this year. Solar power’s affordability and rapid deployment make it a preferred energy source for tech companies expanding their data center operations.
Deals in Louisiana and Texas
- Meta announced two Louisiana deals to buy environmental attributes for a combined 385 megawatts of electricity, with completion expected in 2027.
- On Monday, Meta announced a 600-megawatt solar farm purchase near Lubbock, Texas, also slated to begin commercial operation in 2027.
Impact and Criticism of Environmental Certificates
The Texas solar farm will supply power to the local grid rather than directly powering Meta's data centers, offsetting their energy use indirectly. The Louisiana deals involve buying environmental attribute certificates (EACs), sometimes called renewable energy certificates, which help Meta offset carbon from more carbon-intensive power sources.
Such environmental attribute certificates "have been criticized by experts for obscuring the true carbon footprint of tech companies’ operations, which have ballooned as AI has driven up electricity use."
Summary
Meta's large-scale solar agreements highlight its push for renewable energy but also spotlight ongoing debates about the transparency of carbon offset methods in tech industries.
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