Sol Systems and Google have structured an integrated clean energy investment and procurement strategy for solar projects being developed by Pine Gate Renewables in North and South Carolina. This strategy provides capital to enable 225 MWdc of new solar energy projects and 18 MW of battery storage resources. These assets are being developed in a region with relatively low renewable energy penetration and of specific focus for Google and its 24/7 carbon-free energy goal.
Alongside this investment, Google and Sol Systems will deploy capital to seed critical investments into regional community organisations that serve under-resourced and minority communities. The investment will focus on reducing energy burden by enabling critical home pre-weatherisation and safety upgrades to low- and moderate-income (LMI) households. Four regional organisations will receive initial funding from the partnership: Roanoke Electric Cooperative (NC), Santee Electric Cooperative (SC), Aiken Electric Cooperative (SC), and the Sustainability Institute of South Carolina.
“We are honoured to be working with Google, a pioneer in renewable energy procurement and community investment” said Sol Systems' CEO Yuri Horwitz. “As they have in the past, they continue to provide leadership and innovation for our industry. We look forward to building on this work in the future.”
Christopher Scott, Energy Lead at Google, said that the company is aiming to operate every Google data centre on clean energy for every hour of every day by 2030 and that it is committed to ensuring that the communities in which Google operates are actively benefitting from the clean energy transition.
Bryan Cordell, Executive Director, The Sustainability Institute of South Carolina, added that The Sustainability Institute will partner with Sol Systems and Google to provide critical home repairs alongside energy efficiency upgrades for households in under-resourced communities in the Charleston area.
“The investments from the impact funding will result in homes becoming safer and more energy efficient for families and will help reduce energy burden and insecurity in the communities where it is highest” said Mr Cordell.
Santee Electric Cooperative (SEC) will use the partnership to grow its “Help My House” programme, which enables homeowners to apply for funding to finance energy efficiency improvements, lowering their power bills.
“Through the new partnership with Sol Systems and Google, SEC will provide funding to support low-income households participating in the “Help My House” programme to address relevant critical home repairs and energy efficiency improvements” said Jay Kirby, VP of Public Affairs, Santee Electric Cooperative. “Together, we are working towards a common goal of electrifying home appliances to transition away from kerosene and propane. As a result, homes will be more efficient, use less energy, and have better air quality and health. This partnership will enable us to expand our reach in helping the communities and families we serve.”
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