• 500 MW Solar Initiative: Pivot Energy partners with Microsoft to develop 500 MWac of community-scale solar projects across the U.S., benefiting 100 communities in 20 states.
• Community-Centric Focus: The collaboration emphasizes diversity, local workforce development, and energy savings for low-income households.
• Significant Environmental Impact: The projects will generate over 1 billion kWh annually, equivalent to powering 90,000 homes and removing 165,000 gas-powered vehicles from the road.

Pivot Energy, a leading renewable energy provider, has entered into a transformative 5-year framework agreement with Microsoft to develop up to 500 MWac of community-scale solar energy projects across the U.S. between 2025 and 2029. This partnership is a critical step in both companies’ efforts to maximize the environmental and social benefits of the renewable energy transition, particularly at the local level.

“This collaboration between Pivot Energy and Microsoft exemplifies the power and impact that distributed generation can have,” said Tom Hunt, CEO of Pivot Energy. “Pivot Energy is proud of our industry-leading role in developing solar projects that benefit local communities. We are honored to collaborate with Microsoft to provide purpose-driven solar energy.”

The agreement, which represents Pivot’s largest Renewable Energy Credit (REC) contract and most impactful community collaboration, will see the development of approximately 150 solar projects across roughly 100 communities in states including Colorado, Maryland, Illinois, Delaware, Pennsylvania, and Ohio. Microsoft will purchase the project RECs for a 20-year term, supporting its goal to reduce Scope 3 emissions by more than half by 2030. The first projects are slated to be operational by the end of 2024.

Beyond energy generation, the collaboration prioritizes community impact through four key initiatives: increasing subcontractor diversity, partnering with workforce development organizations to train and hire local talent, investing in equitable community projects through the Sustain Our Future Foundation, and enhancing energy bill savings for low-income subscribers.

“We believe the clean energy transition can and should benefit communities across the United States that have been historically excluded from economic opportunity,” said Adrian Anderson, GM of Renewables at Microsoft. “This collaboration helps to build more inclusive, local economic growth across 100 communities while addressing the sustainability needs and opportunities within those communities.”

Related Article: DOE Grants $1.45 Billion Loan to South Korean Renewable Energy Company Qcells for Solar Supply Chain Development in Georgia

The environmental benefits are equally compelling. Over 20 years, the 500 MWac solar projects will generate more than 1 billion kilowatt-hours annually, sufficient to power approximately 90,000 homes per year and equivalent to removing around 165,000 gas-powered passenger vehicles from the road each year.

This agreement sets a new benchmark in community-scale solar development, demonstrating the potential for partnerships that align environmental goals with tangible local benefits.