Clearloop, the carbon solutions platform for Silicon Ranch, announced a new multi-year agreement with Microsoft to deploy up to 100 MWAC of solar projects over the next three years in historically underinvested communities. The new agreement accelerates decarbonization and drives capital investment in approximately 20 socioeconomically diverse American communities.
Working with environmental tech nonprofit WattTime, Clearloop was an early pioneer of using emissions factors to identify strategic points on the grid where new solar generation can displace as much carbon as possible. Based on the locations of the proposed projects, Clearloop expects the new solar portfolio will prevent more than 5 million metric tons of carbon from entering the atmosphere over the next four decades. These projects will help diversify the energy mix in Arkansas and Louisiana.
In 2023, Clearloop and Microsoft collaborated on their first solar project together, a 6.6-MWDC facility in the Mississippi Delta. That project, which became operational in the Summer of 2024, not only helps to displace 200,000 tons of carbon, but also served as the catalyst for Silicon Ranch to invest millions of dollars into Panola County, a community at the cross-section of the Mississippi Delta and the Appalachian Foothills.
“We applaud Microsoft for using its purchasing power to pilot and scale innovative structures that accelerate grid decarbonization in a way that ensures all American communities can see themselves represented as we transform our economy with clean, innovative technologies,” said Laura Zapata, Clearloop CEO and Co-founder. “Community-centric climate action by forward-thinking companies like Microsoft — recognizing that not all megawatt hours have the same carbon impact — are making access to carbon-free energy by more Americans possible.”
Clearloop’s unique and proven approach to reducing carbon emissions gives organizations of all sizes, from global corporations to small businesses and educational institutions, the opportunity to meet their climate goals while helping to decarbonize the broader economy. By matching customer electricity usage with new renewable energy generation, this solar portfolio supports Microsoft’s goal to become carbon-negative by 2030. It will also bring the environmental, health and economic benefits of renewable energy infrastructure investments to communities across the country that stand to benefit the most.
“Clearloop helps Microsoft achieve its carbon-negative goals by supporting renewable energy projects in communities across the country that might otherwise miss out on the economic and environmental benefits of the energy transition,” said Danielle Decatur, Microsoft Director of Environmental Justice.
The first four solar projects in the multi-year agreement are set to break ground over the next few months and will be operational by year’s end in communities with rich histories and strong community identities across Arkansas and Louisiana. These will be among the first large-scale solar projects interconnecting and serving the local distribution grids in Poinsett County, Cross County and Desha County in Arkansas, as well as Bienville Parish in Louisiana.
As is the case with all Clearloop projects, the new solar portfolio will be developed, owned and operated by its parent Silicon Ranch for the lifetime of each project. As part of this agreement with Microsoft, Clearloop will create a Community Benefits Fund, managed by nonprofit Sustain Our Future Foundation, to support positive outcomes for local communities impacted by unhealthy social and environmental conditions.
News item from Clearloop
