Our Annual Energy Report
How much electricity does Brownrice use each year?
We use approximately 246 megawatt-hours (MWh) of electricity per year to run our datacenter and operations.
Download our latest Annual Energy Report (PDF) ›
Where does that power come from?
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On-site solar: Our own rooftop solar array generates 81.1 MWh/year, supplying about 33% of our annual demand.
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Renewable grid power: We purchase electricity through Kit Carson Electric Cooperative (KCEC) and its wholesale supplier Guzman Energy. Roughly 60% of KCEC’s retail load is served by renewable resources under a 15-year contract extension. This gives Brownrice 98.9 MWh/year of renewable grid energy (?40% of our load).
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Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs): To cover the remaining non-renewable grid energy, we purchase and retire certified RECs from Terrapass. In 2025, we retired 66 MWh of RECs (certificate no. XZSTXLD3-tpus-1182583, dated 08/22/2025), slightly exceeding the gap and pushing us to 100% renewable on a net annual basis.
Why buy RECs if you already have solar and renewable grid power?
Because grid power is still partially fossil-fueled. RECs ensure that every kilowatt-hour we consume is matched with clean generation. We actually overshoot by about 0.05 MWh each year to be safe.
Do you publish this data?
Yes — we release an Annual Energy Report showing all sources, totals, and supporting links to Guzman Energy, KCEC, and Terrapass certificates. This transparency lets you verify that your hosting is genuinely powered by renewables.
View the full Annual Energy Report ›
Our Green Datacenter
What makes Brownrice’s datacenter “green”?
Our facility in Taos, New Mexico was built to minimize energy use and maximize on-site renewables. Key elements include:
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On-site solar array directly feeding our servers and cooling systems.
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Efficient hardware & cooling: We use energy-efficient servers and cooling methods designed for the high desert climate, reducing power draw compared to typical datacenters.
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Local renewable grid: Thanks to Kit Carson Electric and Guzman Energy’s large solar and battery projects (like the 41 MW Taos Mesa Solar Array plus 15 MW battery), the electricity we import is majority renewable during peak hours.
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Verified offsets: Any residual non-renewable usage is offset through RECs retired in our name.
How does this benefit my website?
When you host with Brownrice, your website runs at full speed on verified 100% renewable power — on-site solar, renewable grid electricity, and certified RECs — not just marketing buzzwords.
Explore our Green Datacenter ›