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• Decarbonization Push: Up to 100 MW of new solar projects in 20 socioeconomically diverse communities, targeting grid decarbonization and local investment.
• Significant Carbon Reduction: Expected to prevent over 5 million metric tons of carbon emissions over 40 years.
• Community-Centric Approach: Establishment of a Community Benefits Fund to support areas impacted by social and environmental inequities.

Clearloop, a Silicon Ranch carbon solutions platform, has entered a multi-year agreement with Microsoft to deploy up to 100 megawatts (MWAC) of renewable energy projects over the next three years. The initiative will focus on historically underinvested American communities, promoting grid decarbonization and driving capital investment in approximately 20 diverse locations.

Why It Matters:

The projects, leveraging Clearloop’s emissions factor strategy developed with environmental tech nonprofit WattTime, are expected to prevent more than 5 million metric tons of carbon from entering the atmosphere over the next four decades. The focus will be on boosting the energy mix in Arkansas and Louisiana through new solar developments.

Proven Success:

Clearloop and Microsoft’s previous collaboration in 2023 led to a 6.6 MWDC solar facility in the Mississippi Delta. The project, operational since Summer 2024, displaced 200,000 tons of carbon and spurred significant investment in Panola County, Mississippi.

“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.

Next Steps:

The first four solar projects under the new agreement are set to break ground in Arkansas and Louisiana in the coming months, aiming for completion by year-end. These will be among the first large-scale solar projects to connect to local distribution grids in Poinsett County, Cross County, and Desha County, Arkansas, as well as Bienville Parish, Louisiana.

Additionally, Clearloop will establish a Community Benefits Fund, managed by the nonprofit Sustain Our Future Foundation, to support local communities facing unhealthy social and environmental conditions.

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“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 Bottom Line:

Microsoft’s partnership with Clearloop represents a robust investment in clean energy and community development. By strategically targeting emissions-heavy grid areas and fostering local benefits, this collaboration could set a new benchmark for climate action that prioritizes both environmental and social equity.

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