Editing Openai/68743fec-f760-8005-96f0-36db79274265 (section)

=== Assistant: Here are the key details on building size and what rooftop solar could realistically deliver: ===
Here are the key details on building size and what rooftop solar could realistically deliver:

===== - '''Applied Digital’s proposal''' includes '''two buildings''', each approximately '''907,000 ft²''' (≈84,300 m²) The Department of Energy's Energy.gov<ref>{{cite web|title=The Department of Energy's Energy.gov|url=https://www.datacenterdynamics.com/en/analysis/on-site-rooftop-solar-at-data-centers-everything-you-need-to-know/|publisher=The Department of Energy's Energy.gov|access-date=2025-11-19}}</ref>Baxtel<ref>{{cite web|title=Baxtel|url=https://baxtel.com/data-center/applied-digital-toronto-sd|publisher=baxtel.com|access-date=2025-11-19}}</ref>. =====
* Combined, that's about '''1.81 million ft²''' of roof space available.

===== Using industry benchmarks: =====
* Rooftop solar deployment typically yields '''5–10 W DC per ft²''' of usable space .
* Assuming '''7 W/ft²''' (mid-range, accounting for shading/access): 1.81 M ft2×7 W=12.7 MW DC1.81 M ft² × 7 W = 12.7 MW DC1.81 M ft2×7 W=12.7 MW DC system capacity.

===== - In South Dakota, summer solar insolation is ~'''6 kWh/m²/day''' (peak hours) Wikipedia<ref>{{cite web|title=Wikipedia|url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_power_in_South_Dakota|publisher=en.wikipedia.org|access-date=2025-11-19}}</ref>. =====
* DC-to-AC derate typically ~0.77 (system losses). 12.7 MWDC × 6 h × 0.77≈58.7 MWh/day12.7\text{ MW}_\text{DC} × 6 h × 0.77 ≈ 58.7 MWh/day12.7 MWDC × 6 h × 0.77≈58.7 MWh/day

So on a typical summer day, roof-mounted solar might generate ~59 MWh (≈2.46 MW average over daylight).

===== - Large data centers often draw tens to hundreds of megawatts during peak summer days. =====
* If the Toronto site runs near 400 MW IT load, plus cooling and infrastructure: - Rooftop solar could offset ~2–5% of total daily power use. - However, during peak midday hours, that 2.46 MW average might spike to 5–6 MW peak, helping reduce reliance on the gas peaker for short intervals.

===== - Roof area: ~1.8 M ft² =====
* Solar capacity: ~12–13 MW DC
* Summer daily generation: ~59 MWh
* Midday offset: ~5–6 MW peak

===== - That's not enough to power the whole data center, but it's meaningful: - Offsets peak cooling demand when solar output is highest. - Helps reduce grid draw and peaker use during midday heat. - Enhances sustainability profile and supports local zoning requirements. =====

Would you like help outlining a policy recommendation to require a minimum MW of rooftop solar as part of the project approval? We could also explore adding modest on-site BESS to store that solar for evening peak.