Global colocation data center developer Digital Realty has signed a solar supply agreement with US Independent Power Producer (IPP) Soltage for 13.4MW of capacity from a portfolio of community solar projects in Illinois.

Digital Realty will use its share of the portfolio’s generation capacity to help match the power demand from its Illinois data center portfolio. The entire capacity of the portfolio is 33.5MW. No details were available on when the portfolio is expected to reach operational status.

“We’re proud to deepen our investment in Illinois and advance our mission to be a responsible steward of the environment,” said Aaron Binkley, VP of Sustainability at Digital Realty. “By investing in community solar, we’re not only decarbonizing our operations, but also supporting clean, reliable power for the communities and regions where we operate.”

Community solar projects involve the installation of solar panels across shared locations, such as rooftops, to generate electricity that is distributed across communities, including residents and businesses. Participants typically subscribe to receive a portion of the solar generation and are credited on their electricity bills according to the amount of solar power they have contracted.

The deal is Digital Realty’s second community solar-linked agreement within the Illinois market. Last December, the company announced that it was set to join the Illinois Shines community solar program and take a 26 percent share of a 19.8MW community solar project in Will and Livingston Counties, Illinois. At the time, the company claimed that the contracted capacity meant its portfolio of 11 data centers in Illinois was now matched with 100 percent clean and renewable energy.

The company has also signed traditional renewable supply agreements within the state. In May, it inked a deal with Summit Ridge Energy to offtake 5.1MW of solar power expected to deliver power by late 2025 to early 2026.

Digital Realty recently bolstered its presence in Illinois following the acquisition of Hivelocity’s colocation business, which included the acquisition of a data center in Chicago, as well as one in Miami, Florida.

Headquartered in New Jersey, Soltage has a portfolio of solar and storage assets across the US. It serves both utility, commercial, industrial, and municipal clients, and has delivered more than 500MW of distributed generation capacity so far.