Microsoft is purchasing 100 megawatts of solar capacity from the Japanese developer Shizen Energy. This agreement is the latest in a series of renewable energy deals designed to power the tech company’s growing computing needs. The companies announced the deal late last week. It covers four different solar developments, with one already operating and three currently under construction. The agreement covers the output from these plants for a period of 20 years.
Seattle-based Microsoft already operates two data centers in Japan. The company’s computing capacity is set to expand as Microsoft invests $2.9 billion in the country over the next year.
Solar power has become a favored energy source for tech companies and data center operators in recent years because it is quick and cheap to build. Solar is among the cheapest forms of new generating capacity, and projects are generally completed within 18 months. An additional benefit is that users can begin drawing power before the entire project is finished.
Microsoft has been a major buyer of solar energy in recent months. Since the beginning of the year, the company has contracted for more than 1 gigawatt of solar capacity.