Google, EDPR to develop 500 MW of US distributed solar PV projects

Google and EDP Renewables are partnering to develop 500 MW of distributed solar projects across six states in the US, with the first solar projects expected to be operational by the end of 2024.

As part of the initiative to promote environmental justice, Google and EDP have agreed on a corporate sponsorship model. This model is expected to benefit nearly 25,000 low-to-moderate-income families in the country. EDPR North America Distributed Generation (EDPR NA DG) will develop, construct, and operate the solar plants, while Google will partially fund the solar portfolio by purchasing impact renewable energy certificates.

The Clean Energy Financial Benefit Sharing Program, as the initiative is called, aims to democratize access to cleaner energy and bring its benefits to underserved communities. Google will purchase a novel renewable energy credit (REC) called the ImpactREC™ to fund the program partly. EDP has 1.4 GW in decentralized solar projects globally and aims to achieve 3 GW between 2023 and 2026. In the US, EDPR NA DG has more than 440 projects across 20 states with a capacity of over 220 MW.

The first solar projects will be located in Ohio, where Google runs a data center campus in New Albany, as well as a Google Cloud region in Columbus.