Pivot Energy has some big news to share with you all. They signed a five-year framework agreement with Microsoft to create up to 500 megawatts (MW) of community-scale solar energy projects across the U.S. In April 2024, we partnered to make renewable energy projects bigger and better together. This partnership lays the groundwork for more sustainable, cleaner electricity from 2025 through 2029.
With 40 projects generating a total capacity of 144 megawatts direct current (MWdc), the community solar portfolio is robust. Through this new initiative, we’ll be investing multimillions of dollars to improve these community benefits. These investments will greatly enliven local economies. They will help deliver low-cost, clean electricity to the people of Colorado, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, New York and Virginia.
The Sustain Our Future Foundation community investment fund will help ensure that these investments yield broad, meaningful benefits across all solar projects. The first of these projects is expected to begin commercial operation in Q3 2025.
The new collaboration with Microsoft underlines an important pivot for Pivot Energy’s mission. By providing financial backing, Microsoft supports the development of affordable and sustainable electricity solutions for thousands of residential and commercial subscribers. This broader push dovetails with national efforts to encourage renewable energy use and decrease carbon footprints.
“This tax credit purchase agreement reinforces that the energy transition can be both scalable and community-focused,” said Tom Hunt, CEO of Pivot Energy. His statement further emphasizes the need for both environmental and social impacts to be fully integrated in energy projects.
As a whole, the deal represents a significant advance for renewable energy development in the U.S. Additionally, Pivot’s community solar projects will provide job opportunities and stimulate economic growth in the communities they serve.
“We are proud to have supported Pivot Energy in advancing one of the largest community solar portfolios in the United States,” stated Tim Short, managing partner at Acadia. This sentiment underscores appreciation for the concerted collaboration and partnership required to enable and construct such complex and large scale renewable energy projects.
Brian O’Callaghan, vice-president at Acadia, added, “By facilitating this commitment through the CCIC, we’re helping direct corporate capital to projects that deliver tangible benefits to local communities — like job creation, economic growth, and access to renewable energy.”