Green Energy Optimization for Indian Data Centers Using Hybrid Solar–Battery Microgrids with Thin-Film PV and Dynamic Workload Scaling

Abstract

Data centers in India are growing rapidly, especially in digital hubs such as Chennai, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Pune, resulting in high electricity consumption. This paper proposes a hybrid solar–battery microgrid framework integrated with thin-film solar PV technology and dynamic workload scaling to minimize grid dependency and operational costs while maintaining service quality. Open solar irradiance data for Indian cities and representative data center workload profiles are used for modeling and simulation. A linear programming model is implemented in MATLAB, incorporating constraints for battery operation, PV generation, and workload flexibility. Results show that combining conventional and thin-film PV with intelligent load scheduling can reduce grid energy consumption by over 35% annually, with thin-film PV contributing to rooftop and urban installations where space is limited. A comparison of energy savings across Indian cities demonstrates region-specific deployment strategies. The framework is reproducible, scalable, and suitable for practical implementation.