Clearloop energizes 2 solar projects in Mississippi Delta – Solar Builder Magazine

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Clearloop “flipped the switch” on the first two of three planned solar projects in Panola County, Mississippi — a community at the cross-section of the Mississippi Delta and the Appalachian Foothills.

Clearloop commissioned the 6.6 MWdc Panola I Solar Farm and the 6.6 MWdc Panola II Solar Farm in partnership with the local power company, Tallahatchie Valley Electric Power Association (TVEPA) and the local economic development group, the Panola Partnership.

Through Clearloop’s unique and innovative approach to helping organizations reclaim their carbon footprint, more than 30 companies of all sizes, including Microsoft, Vista Equity Partners, Chicory Wealth, Rivian, Oak View Group, Goodr, and Grandma Mae’s Country Naturals, have come together to support the Panola I and II Solar Farms. The collective efforts of these organizations have driven decarbonization and economic growth in the county, and powered Clearloop’s commitment to maximize the environmental, educational, and economic benefits of climate dollars.

Inspired by this collaboration and the effects that the new solar infrastructure provided by Clearloop will have on the fabric of the county for years to come, Panola County leadership unveiled the county’s new logo during the flip the switch event on June 4. The new logo integrates solar panels into its design, reinforcing the positive impact of the projects on the community’s identity as a symbol of the resilience of Panola County.

The event was open to partners and members of the local community. Speakers included:

  • Laura Zapata, CEO and cofounder, Clearloop
  • Joe Azar, executive director, economic development for Panola County
  • Brad Robison, CEO, Tallahatchie Valley Electric Power Association
  • Emily Deer, associate advisor, Chicory Wealth

As is the case with all Clearloop projects, the Panola solar projects were developed and will be owned and operated by Silicon Ranch, Clearloop’s parent company, for the projects’ entire 40-year lifetime. Through a disciplined and community-focused approach, Clearloop and Silicon Ranch will maintain long-term partnerships with TVEPA and the Panola County community. Panola County’s partnership with Clearloop will help advance its ambitious goals for economic development.

“Today is a monumental day for Panola County. Through our partnership with Clearloop and support from numerous organizations, we are able to bring locally generated, reliable renewable energy to our community for the first time ever,” Azar said. “The Panola I and Panola II Solar Farms were strategically sited to welcome new businesses into our community, as these projects will serve as beacons of economic growth, demonstrating that our forward-thinking community is ready to meet the business requirements of the modern economy. Panola County is pleased to capture the significance of these solar projects in our official county logo.”

Project information:

  • The first of the three projects, the 6.6 MWdc Panola I Solar Farm, is supported by 30+ organizations including Vista Equity Partners and 21 of their portfolio companies, Uber, Rivian, Oak View Group/GOAL, Infoblox, FarmHouse Fresh, Chicory Wealth, Goodr, Grandma Mae’s Country Naturals, Aether Diamonds, and Material Bank. This project exemplifies how Clearloop is decarbonizing the economy by enabling organizations of all sizes to reclaim their carbon footprints.
  • The second project, the 6.6 MWdc Panola II Solar Farm, is supported by Microsoft as a continuation of the company’s efforts to diversify and scale-up the supply of impactful renewable energy and mechanisms enabling access for all. By collaborating with Clearloop, Microsoft is expanding equitable access to clean energy and decarbonizing the grid in the Mississippi Delta region through an upfront payment for long-term renewable energy credits.
  • Vanderbilt University is supporting the 4.8 MWdc Panola III Solar Farm, as part of a multiyear collaboration with Clearloop that builds on the university’s commitment to power its campus entirely through renewable energy and maintain carbon neutrality. The project is expected to be completed in Fall 2024.

“By celebrating the successful completion of the very first solar projects in Panola County, Mississippi, we’re also highlighting why Clearloop is laser-focused on bringing communities and companies together to make meaningful investments that maximize both the economic and climate impact of new clean energy infrastructure,” she said. “We’re grateful for the trust the Panola community and our customers have placed in us to bring these projects to life, putting climate dollars to work to help accelerate equitable access to clean energy.”

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