Clearloop, the carbon solutions subsidiary of Silicon Ranch inked a multi-year solar deal with Microsoft to unlock 100 MWAC of renewable power This initiative targets about 20 underserved American communities and broadly aims to decarbonize the U.S. grid and boost economic growth.
According to EIA’s latest forecast, the US expects 63GW of new utility-scale power projects in 2025, with solar PV leading the way. Utility-scale solar PV will contribute 32.5GW, making up 52% of the total. In 2024, it set a record by adding 30GW, according to EIA data.
Silicon Ranch: A Pioneer in Solar Solutions
Silicon Ranch started in 2011. It’s a top provider of solar energy, battery storage, and carbon solutions. The company helps expand clean energy. It has a portfolio of more than seven gigawatts of solar and battery storage projects in the U.S. and Canada.
Silicon Ranch owns and runs all its projects, showcasing a strong success record. It also leads the country’s largest agrivoltaics portfolio through Regenerative Energy®. This initiative blends regenerative ranching with land stewardship. It aims to improve soil health, boost biodiversity, and enhance water quality.
A key project in its portfolio is the large solar facility in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. It was developed with Mississippi Power. This project has a capacity of 50 MWAC. It includes 198,500 solar modules and covers 450 acres. Hattiesburg, Forrest County, and the Area Development Partnership collaborated to make it successful. Below is the onsite picture.
Clearloop: A Top Carbon Solution Provider
Clearloop, a Silicon Ranch company, provides carbon solutions for businesses, schools, and global companies. It accelerates the clean energy transition by creating solar projects in underserved communities. With this purpose, they believe that this initiative supports a fair energy shift.
It is collaborating with the environmental tech nonprofit organization WattTime which offers solutions by providing data and technical assistance about the potential projects.
Clearloop uses “emissionality” to find the best places or high-impact areas for new solar projects. These projects can cut carbon emissions and boost economic investment effectively.
Unlocking the Solar Agreement to Decarbonize Arkansas and Louisiana
Laura Zapata, Clearloop CEO and Co-founder said,
“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. 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.”
The First Phase: Solar Projects in the Pipeline
The press release revealed that the first phase of this multi-year agreement includes four large-scale solar projects. They will begin construction in the coming months. These projects will be among the first to connect to local distribution grids and provide clean energy in Arkansas and Louisiana.
Specifically, they will be located in Poinsett County, Cross County, and Desha County in Arkansas, as well as Bienville Parish in Louisiana. All four sites are expected to be operational by the end of the year, bringing renewable energy infrastructure to regions with strong community ties and rich histories
Project Execution
Silicon Ranch will develop, own, and operate the new solar portfolio for its entire lifespan, just like all Clearloop projects. As part of the agreement, Clearloop will launch a Community Benefits Fund, managed by the nonprofit Sustain Our Future Foundation. This fund will support local communities facing environmental and social challenges.
WattTime will help to find the best locations for new solar projects using Clearloop’s emissions data. By placing solar installations where they can reduce the most carbon, this initiative is expected to prevent over 5 million metric tons of emissions in the next 40 years.
These projects will also boost energy diversity in Arkansas and Louisiana, helping create a cleaner and more sustainable power grid.
Microsoft Steps Closer to Its 2030 Carbon Negative Goal
Danielle Decatur, Microsoft Director of Environmental Justice noted,
“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.”
Earlier Microsoft and Clearloop partnered in 2023 to launch a major solar project—a 6.6 MWDC facility in the Mississippi Delta. This project, which started operating in the summer 2024, is expected to cut 200,000 tons of carbon emissions. It also led Silicon Ranch to invest millions in Panola County, a region at the crossroads of the Mississippi Delta and the Appalachian Foothills.
Expanding Solar Portfolio to Cut Emissions
Microsoft is increasing its use of solar energy to reduce carbon emissions and support communities. Through a partnership with EKOenergy’s Climate Fund, the company helped bring solar-powered refrigeration to a Kenyan fishing village. This provides clean water and ice at lower costs for 2,000 households, reducing food waste and improving livelihoods.
Notably. It’s including community funds in its global renewable energy projects. Apart from investing in Clearloop it has also signed a 366-MW partnership in Ireland with developer Statkraft will help support local needs while expanding clean energy. Some other commitments include:
- Oregon: Microsoft supports the Skyward Community Solar project, producing 3.6 million kWh of clean energy yearly to cut emissions.
- Canada: Partnered with the 37-MW Deerfoot Solar Project, 51% First Nations-owned, providing clean energy and economic benefits.
Carbon Emissions
In 2023, Microsoft expanded its renewable energy portfolio to 19.8 GW across 21 countries. The company also signed agreements to remove 5 million metric tons of carbon over the next 15 years. To tackle emissions, Microsoft is balancing projects with different durability levels.
While Scope 1 and 2 emissions dropped 6.3% from 2020 levels, Scope 3 emissions increased 30.9% due to datacenter expansion and the materials used in construction, like semiconductors and servers. Thus, the tech giant is focusing on reducing Scope 3 emissions as part of its sustainability strategy.
Microsoft is significantly investing in solar projects to move closer to its goal of becoming carbon-negative by 2030. And this newly announced solar deal with play a key role. Furthermore, these projects will match customer electricity use with clean energy. Subsequently, uplifting the communities with better air quality, public health, and economic growth.
