The unprecedented growth of hyperscale artificial intelligence (AI) data centers is reshaping America's energy sector, bringing opportunities and challenges for utility-scale solar engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) firms and project developers. The data center sector consumed about 4% of the country’s total electricity in 2023, and is projected to account for up to 12% of total U.S. electricity consumption by 2028. These massive power needs, coupled with urgent sustainable energy goals, have created a burgeoning new market segment for solar + storage hyperscale data center solutions.

For EPCs and developers working in this growing sector — or looking to enter it — success means mastering next-generation technology, understanding rigorous technical system compatibility, and navigating the complex ecosystem of strategic partnerships.

AI Data Centers: Power Hungry and in a Hurry

Even for those of us in the energy sector, the sheer scale and numbers are mind-boggling, with energy demand emerging from AI-driven data center complexes that rival traditional utility infrastructure planning. On average, individual AI data center facilities consume 175 MW of continuous power, with forecasts predicting this average will rise to 275 MW and 375 MW by 2030 and 2035, respectively. However, many hyperscale data center campuses are already in the multi-gigawatt scale. The size represents a quantum leap from the much smaller average capacity of traditional data centers due to AI workloads that consume up to 100 times more electricity than standard cloud-computing operations.

The sheer magnitude of this growth becomes even more apparent when considering that data center electricity usage has tripled from 58 TeraWatt-hours (TWh) in 2014 to 176 TWh in 2023, with estimates suggesting an increase to 307 TWh by 2030. 

Yet, against this backdrop, average electricity prices have surged from $0.179 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) in January 2025 up to $0.19 as of June, a 6% increase in just six months. Since June 2020, when prices were $0.14 per kilowatt-hour, prices have climbed a staggering 26%. This escalating cost trajectory reflects the growing strain on electricity infrastructure as data centers alone now consume approximately 4.4% of total U.S. electricity, with projections indicating this figure could reach as high as 12% by 2028. However, many data center operators value energy power bill stability over time more than a lower average cost.

Power availability has become the most critical factor in data center site selection, with 84% of industry decision-makers ranking it among their top three considerations, a shift from previous years when fiber proximity shared the top priority spot with power availability. The urgency surrounding power access has intensified as utility providers report delivery timelines significantly longer than what data center developers anticipate. In some key U.S. markets, interconnection delays can last up to two years beyond customer expectations.

This power crunch to supply this skyrocketing demand, along with urgent corporate sustainability commitments for carbon-free energy sources, places the burden on onsite generation solutions that bypass traditional grid dependencies entirely. In particular, solar PV power. 

By 2030, 38% of data center facilities are expected to incorporate primary onsite generation, representing a nearly threefold increase from just 13% in 2024. Even more striking is the projection that 27% of facilities expect to be fully powered by onsite generation by 2030 — a staggering 27-fold increase from merely 1% in the previous year.

However, along with the significantly higher electricity consumption, data center operations have inherent reliability requirements that exceed conventional solar project design approaches.

The Limitations of Using a Traditional Utility-Scale Solar Approach 

Whereas traditional utility-scale installations optimize for cost per watt and basic grid-tie functionality, and where brief interruptions might be acceptable, AI workloads have strict 24/7 baseload power needs, with extreme reliability standards exceeding 99.9% uptime, equivalent to about 5 minutes a year. A single hour of downtime at an AI facility can cost millions, making system reliability paramount.

The integration challenge here extends to system-level compatibility. Maintaining consistent, reliable power delivery means onsite energy generation must integrate seamlessly with sophisticated backup power systems to provide predictable generation profiles, and maintain operational integrity under extreme weather conditions that could compromise facility uptime.

On-site energy systems use complex power management architectures that include uninterruptible power supplies (UPS), battery backup systems, diesel generators, and increasingly, behind-the-meter microgrids. Solar installations serving these facilities must ensure compatibility across multiple balance-of-system (BOS) components while maintaining the flexibility to participate in demand response programs and grid stabilization services.

Weather resilience is another critical factor. While standard module qualification testing may be adequate for regular installations, it may not meet the extreme reliability standards required for data centers, especially in regions with severe weather. Recent hail events in Texas — a major market for data centers — have generated more than $600 million in solar project losses since 2018, highlighting the financial exposure associated with inadequate module.

As we can see, the demanding operational requirements of AI data centers place extraordinary pressure on solar system performance, making module selection key for mission-critical applications.

Selecting Reliable, High-Efficiency Modules for Data Centers

Large-format modules (LFM) with 210mm n-type TOPCon advanced technology, like Trinasolar’s Vertex N 720W, provide significant advantages for utility-scale solar installations serving data centers. The module’s high efficiency and bifaciality reduce BOS costs and maximize power density per installation area, while n-type TOPCon technology ensures consistent performance across diverse environmental conditions. This combination of high power output, superior efficiency, and proven reliability makes Vertex N modules ideal for the demanding requirements of critical data center energy infrastructure.

Truly maximizing energy yield, performance, and reliability extends beyond module efficiency and output, and includes comprehensive system design and operational strategies with careful coordination between module characteristics, tracking systems, inverter capabilities, other generation sources, and environmental conditions. Trinasolar engineers its Vertex modules to enable system designs that optimize these interactions while providing the long-term performance warranties for these critical infrastructure investments.

Quality assurance also becomes paramount for systems serving critical applications that cannot tolerate power interruptions. The Vertex N module was named "Top Performer" across all categories in Kiwa PVEL's Reliability Scorecard testing, highlighting its superior performance under thermal cycling, damp heat, mechanical stress, and potential-induced degradation conditions. This record of reliability translates to reduced operational risks, ensuring data center operators are confident in long-term system performance.

In regions prone to hailstorms or extreme winds, Trinasolar’s Vertex N Shield module withstands hailstones up to 55mm at a speed of 33.9 m/s, and has a mechanical load with a fixed mounting installation of +7000/-4000Pa. Engineered with glass and a backsheet, Vertex N Shield mitigates the risk of weather-related damages and reduces Annual Average Losses (AAL).

Strategic Partnerships Drive Data Center Success

Meeting these demands and keeping pace as this new landscape unfolds will require more than simply scaling existing solar solutions. Proposals and designs must take into account the operational requirements of critical facilities, including redundancy systems, power quality specifications, and maintenance protocols. Meanwhile, project development timelines must accommodate the urgent schedules common in data center expansion. All while delivering the quality standards necessary for critical infrastructure.

For utility-scale EPCs and developers, success hinges on combining technical excellence with strategic partnerships across the value chain. This involves specialized capabilities, experience, and solutions that extend beyond traditional large-scale solar development, encompassing development, construction, financing, and long-term asset management.

That’s why data center operators value partners who can provide comprehensive solutions rather than component-level suppliers or transactional service providers.

Trinasolar understands the unique challenges facing EPCs and developers in integrating renewable energy with data centers. With decades of experience in developing the country’s utility-scale solar sector across diverse climates and regulatory landscapes, and a deep understanding of critical infrastructure requirements, Trinasolar US provides the foundation that data center operators need to scale smartly, sustainably, and swiftly. 

This combination of speed and excellence is the competitive edge for capturing market opportunities in this fast-paced sector.

Want to know more about how Trinasolar’s streamlined development processes, established supply chain relationships, and project management capabilities accelerate projects without compromising system quality or long-term performance?

Reach out to us to learn more about energy security, resilience, and renewable integration that critical facilities demand.

Interested in high-efficiency n-type TOPCon Vertex N modules assembled in America? Click here to find out where to buy them or reach out to a local team member today to learn more.

Follow Us on Social Media: Stay updated on the latest news, events, and insights from Trinasolar US by following us on LinkedIn, YouTube, Twitter/X, Facebook, and Instagram. We regularly share insights and educational information on product updates, industry trends, and strategies to help you succeed.