Data center loads increased from 1.9% to 4.4% of total annual U.S. electricity consumption between 2018 and 2023, and are projected to reach 6.7%-12.0% by 2028. Analysts expect data centers’ share of the country’s electricity to reach 80 gigawatts (GW) by 2030 — a stark hike from the 25 GW forecast in 2024.

As tech giants compete to build bigger and better Artificial Intelligence (AI) programs, the energy demands of hyperscale AI data centers have reached staggering levels, placing immense strain on aging electrical grids and creating an urgent need for cost-effective, rapidly deployable power solutions.

For organizations looking to quickly scale data center operations, and for the developers and EPCs supporting their efforts, retrofitting existing sites offers a fast, economical pathway, especially when paired with high-performance solar PV modules and modular battery energy storage systems (BESS) that reduce the site’s carbon footprint while optimizing operational costs.

Let’s take a closer look at the key advantages of retrofitting over a new build.

Solar + Storage Accelerates Data Center Time to Power

The AI companies rolling out ambitious plans to build 100MW+ server farms are actively shopping around the projects to multiple utilities, seeking the quickest access to power. The years-long delay in transmission interconnection is a major obstacle for hyperscale data center development, which can derail projects and rack up sunk costs. 

Despite local politics and federal uncertainty, solar remains the fastest, most scalable, and most easily deployable clean energy source available today. The modularity of solar + storage also enables even faster deployments when used to retrofit existing structures, offering a speed advantage by accelerating “time to power” by months or even years compared to other energy sources.

For behind-the-meter (BTM) solar + storage installations that directly power the data center and do not feed the grid, once developers have the permits in hand, they can often move to commercial operation in months, compared to three to 15 years for most other generation sources. This rapid timeline becomes even more critical considering that the average energy consumption of hyperscale data centers continues to increase, with even the smallest ones requiring a minimum power capacity of 100 MW. Only solar can deliver this urgent clean energy on schedule. 

Applying a modular approach to data center retrofits also enables phased implementation, so that organizations can scale their AI capabilities incrementally, all while managing capital deployment more effectively. This ease of scalability, combined with lower construction and engineering costs from standardization, creates key operational advantages over traditional approaches.

Cost Incentives of Retrofitting Data Centers

Beyond faster time to power, retrofitting instead of greenfield construction costs less in capital expenses (CAPEX). Construction costs for a new data center range from $8 to $12 million per MW of IT capacity, while retrofitting an existing facility can dramatically reduce CAPEX to $4 to $8 million (or a 30–50% decline) compared to greenfield construction.

The opportunity is substantial. Hundreds — some estimates say thousands — of legacy enterprise and telecom data centers across the country are operating at only 20-40% of their designed capacity. Since a site’s servers are periodically taken offline for routine maintenance, software upgrades, or hardware replacements, facilities are usually overbuilt to ensure uptime. Additionally, these sites already have robust physical infrastructure and network connectivity, eliminating a significant chunk of new construction costs. This inherent redundancy creates opportunities for modernization without wholesale replacement.

Powering the AI Revolution with Proven Solar and Energy Storage Expertise

Truly flexible data centers will need to integrate gas-fired generators, batteries, solar panels, or other distributed energy resources (DERs) to meet their own power needs during peak demand. At the same time, the rapidly shifting, highly competitive landscape makes it challenging to forecast future data center capacity needs. Amid such uncertainty, more than two-thirds (68%) of owner-operator respondents use modular power solutions and plan to continue using them, with 22% deploying them at all locations.

There’s no one-size-fits-all solution to overcoming data center energy challenges, since developers must also consider the site’s power density requirements, cooling infrastructure upgrades, and future energy needs, all in addition to integrating renewable energy generation.

However, with the right partners, careful planning, and engineering expertise, crews can quickly and effectively modernize a site’s critical infrastructure with solar + storage while maintaining existing 24/7 operations. Retrofitting data centers is particularly advantageous for edge-computing deployments that aim to reduce end-user network latency. 

At Trinasolar, we understand the complexities of large-scale energy infrastructure — because we've built it.

As a trusted global leader in solar and storage innovation, Trina delivers high-performance Vertex modules and fully wrapped Elementa 2 Pro energy storage systems in solutions specifically tailored to meet the energy-intensive demands of hyperscale AI data centers. With decades of experience in utility-scale and commercial solar and storage projects across the country, Trinasolar brings unmatched engineering expertise in project design, technology integration, and long-term reliability. From concept to commissioning, Trinasolar is your dependable partner, helping data center owners & operators, developers, and EPCs integrate solar and storage as a scalable, sustainable energy source to meet rising power needs and ESG commitments.

Why Trina for AI Data Centers?

• Proven Track Record: 28+ years of global experience, including large-scale U.S. projects across diverse climates and regulatory landscapes.

• Comprehensive Solutions: Industry-leading modules and storage-ready integration.

• Energy Security & Resilience: High-efficiency solar systems that reduce grid reliance and support energy cost stability.

• Sustainability Partner: Supports decarbonization goals with a Tier 1 bankable partner and responsible supply chain practices.

As AI drives explosive growth in power demand, Trinasolar provides the solar foundation to help power and scale data centers smartly and sustainably.

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