Power and cooling solutions provider APC has teamed up with network solutions provider Imprint Enterprises to conduct energy efficiency evaluations for companies that choose to participate in a large U.S. utility's data center efficiency program announced earlier this week.

Xcel Energy - which supplies power to customers in nine states, including Texas - launched its program on Monday. The utility will issue rebates to companies that commission studies to identify and implement energy-saving measures in their data centers.

Xcel will pay for a portion of the study and issue rebates upon each project's completion. APC and Imprint will play a role of independent third-party vendors who will evaluate energy use by participating facilities' in Colorado and Minnesota and make recommendations on ways to increase efficiency.

The partners will provide comprehensive energy assessments for network closets, IT rooms and data centers of any size, according to an APC statement.

The on-site evaluations will include energy savings projections and identification of available rebates for hardware upgrades.