Pivot Energy and Microsoft Ink 5-Year Agreement to Develop 500 MW of Community Solar Projects Across the U.S.

Pivot Energy announced a 5-year framework agreement with Microsoft to develop up to 500 megawatts (MWac) of community-scale solar energy projects across the United States from 2025 to 2029.

The agreement represents Pivot’s largest Renewable Energy Credit (REC) initiative and its most significant community impact partnership. It also marks Microsoft’s first major distributed generation portfolio. By matching customer electricity usage with new renewable electricity generation, the agreement supports Microsoft’s goal of reducing its Scope 3 emissions by more than half by 2030. Pivot plans to develop approximately 150 solar projects across about 100 communities in 20 states, including Colorado, Maryland, Illinois, Delaware, Pennsylvania, and Ohio. Microsoft will purchase the project RECs for a 20-year term, with the first projects expected to come online before the end of 2024.

The agreement outlines four key community-centric initiatives for Pivot to prioritize: 1) increasing the diversity of its subcontractors, 2) partnering with workforce development organizations and subcontractors to train and hire local diverse talent, 3) partnering with the Sustain Our Future Foundation to invest in equitable community initiatives, and 4) enhancing energy bill savings for low-income subscribers through the community solar projects.

“An economy fueled by clean, distributed energy can do more than provide power at low cost; it drives growth and success in communities across the nation. This collaboration between Pivot Energy and Microsoft exemplifies the power and impact that distributed generation can have,” added 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”

“We believe the clean energy transition can and should benefit communities across the United States that have been historically excluded from economic opportunity,” commented Adrian Anderson, GM, Renewables, Carbon Free Energy, CDR, Microsoft. “Through our work with Pivot Energy and with its commitments to driving community impact, this collaboration helps to build more inclusive, local economic growth across 100 communities while addressing the sustainability needs and opportunities within those communities.”