Cleartrace Supplies The Data Backbone for Iron Mountain’s Innovative 24/7 CFE Solution

By: David Broder

July 17, 2026

Iron Mountain has set out to establish proof of their de-carbonization to ultimately benefit not only their own business, but also their customers.

Iron Mountain operates 12 Data Centers in Texas and over 100 nationally.

Cleartrace is based in Austin, TX founded in 2017 It operates as a Cloud-based platform to track and manage carbon footprint. Cleartrace https://cleartrace.io/

offers and end to end electricity and certificate management system to help both buyers and sellers of renewable energy.

Data centers and cloud computing represent our planet’s fastest-growing energy consumption sectors. According to US Dept. of Energy; U.S. data centers consumed approximately 176 terawatt hours (TWh) in 2023, representing about 4.4% of total U.S. electricity consumption, and this demand is projected to double or triple by 2028. – making it a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions (Source: International Energy Agency).

What is 24/7 CFE?

24/7 Carbon-Free Energy (CFE) means every kilowatt-hour of electricity use is matched with carbon-free electricity sources every hour of every day. It is a way of procuring and accounting for clean electricity on an hourly basis so the electricity is carbon-free when it’s actually consumed, not just over the whole year.

Iron Mountain set out to move its facilities from 100% renewable energy purchased annually to a significantly more ambitious goal, 24/7 carbon-free energy (CFE) – to be sure each hour of electricity used came from renewable resources and have greater impacts on de-carbonizing the grids where they operate by 2030.

At their retrofitted NJE-1 facility, a former New York Times printing plant, a massive rooftop solar array generates over 9 million kilowatts annually - demonstrating that even existing structures can be transformed into renewable energy powerhouses. 

The rise in on-site solar deployments is driven by several factors. It's a low-cost, accessible clean power source that helps communities decarbonize. It also supports green building certifications like BREEAM, which require responsible resource management and the use of sustainable materials. 

Renewables have now become cheaper than fossil fuels in most areas.

When possible, ground-mounted solar is ideal, providing ample energy without building risks. Rooftop solar is a budget-friendly option, but may not provide enough power and could pose physical security risks if not carefully implemented. Parking canopies offer additional employee benefits but at a higher cost.

So, does solar matter?

The answer is a resounding yes. As the world transitions to a more sustainable future, solar power will play an increasingly vital role in powering data centers and other energy-intensive facilities. Thoughtful planning, diverse implementation strategies, and a commitment to renewable energy are essential for realizing the full potential of solar power.

Job Opportunities in TX Data Center Energy US

With the Most proposed and second most operational data centers in the US, energy usage is a major issue. Data center jobs focused on clean energy use often involve roles in AI and sustainability, solar particularly in Texas, energy efficiency, electrical engineering, and environmental compliance. These positions are crucial for optimizing energy consumption and implementing renewable energy solutions within data centers.