Renewables developer Clearloop and other investing partners broke ground on a 6.6-MW solar farm project in Mississippi this past week.
The Panola I solar farm is one of three projects launched by Clearloop. The developer is working in partnership with local utility Tallahatchie Valley Electric Power Association on the Panola County site.
More than 30 companies have joined in the investment pool on the Panola projects. Once completed and operational, the three solar farms are forecast to prevent more than one billion pounds of carbon from entering the atmosphere compared to conventional power generation.
“As a local power company serving northwest Mississippi and driving economic growth through electrification for over 80 years, our top priority is providing superior service to our customers,” Brad Robison, CEO of Tallahatchie Valley Electric Power Assoc., said in a statement. “As the electrical grid evolves, maintaining our legacy requires that we provide cost-effective electricity from renewable sources.”
The Panola 1 solar project is supported by investors include Vista Equity Partners and 21 of its portfolio companies. Among those are Uber, Infoblox, FarmHouse Fresh, Chicory Wealth, Goodr, Grandma Mae’s Country Naturals and Material Bank.
The release about the groundbreaking did not give an expected completion date for Panola 1. The second renewable collaboration will be announced later this year.
The third solar project in Panola County will kick off a multi-year collaboration between Clearloop and Vanderbilt University. The school is working to neutralize its carbon footprint by support new solar projects.
Recently, Vanderbilt detailed another collaboration with solar developer Silicon Ranch for an off-campus generation site.
“Our collaboration with Clearloop helps us multiply the impact of our commitment to be carbon neutral for years to come,” said Vanderbilt Vice Chancellor for Administration Eric Kopstain. “While we reduce our carbon emissions through our work with Silicon Ranch, our Green Invest projects, and now Clearloop, we’re building a lasting legacy of clean energy access in the Southeast as we offset our remaining carbon footprint by investing in, and helping accelerate, a more equitable clean energy transition.”
