Digital infrastructure firm Equinix has deployed a 1MW rooftop solar system at its ME1 International Business Exchange data centre in Melbourne, bringing additional clean power to local grids where Equinix operates.
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In what is one of the largest data centre rooftop solar deployments in Australia, Equinix has now completed installation of rooftop solar systems at eight of its data centres, including Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne and Sydney, which collectively provides a total of approximately 1.8MW of clean energy to local power grids.
To assist in the funding of this latest rooftop solar deployment in Melbourne, Equinix claimed Victorian Energy Efficiency Certificates (VEECs), which is part of the Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) programme established by the Victorian government to help reduce power bills and greenhouse gas emissions.
The 1MW rooftop solar system is Equinix’s largest onsite rooftop solar PV system globally, and one of the largest at any data centre in Australia. It reinforces Equinix’s continued focus to add clean energy to the local grid and contribute towards decarbonation.
Earlier this month, Equinix announced the signing of its first long-term renewable energy Power Purchase Agreement in Asia-Pacific, securing 151MW of renewable energy from the Golden Plains Wind Farm—East in Victoria, which will supply enough energy to the grid to cover Equinix’s 17 IBX data centres across Australia.
Equinix Australia managing director Guy Danskine said, “Deploying rooftop solar systems at our Australian data centres is an important step in our overarching strategy to help decarbonise the grid and foster a more sustainable future for data centres.
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“In Australia, we have invested millions of dollars in solar systems and have plans to expand this further. We are constantly exploring ways to deliver our digital infrastructure in the most sustainable way to address surging digital needs of businesses and support the development of the country’s digital economy.”
