Clearloop flipped the switch on the new 2.8 MWdc White Pine Solar Farm in White Pine, Tennessee. The project was developed in collaboration with the global financial technology platform Intuit Inc. and national specialty store for outdoor sports REI Cooperative.
“This project represents the possibilities fostered by responsible, thoughtful and meaningful corporate climate action,” said Laura Zapata, CEO and co-founder of Clearloop, a Silicon Ranch company. “We look forward to continuing to build our relationships with business leaders and communities to deliver on the promise of a transformational and inclusive energy transition.”
Intuit and REI each supported the development of 1.4 MWdc of the solar project to decarbonize their operations. The project will produce enough electricity to power nearly 400 homes in the local community. In addition to support from Intuit and REI, the solar project is made possible by the Tennessee Valley Authority’s Dispersed Power Program and the cooperation of local energy companies, including Morristown Utility Systems.
Since 2021, Intuit has partnered with Clearloop to decarbonize the electric grid while expanding access to renewable energy across Tennessee. Intuit’s support of the White Pine Solar Farm builds on its ongoing partnership and efforts with Clearloop Prosperity Hub Program in Morristown, Tennessee and the surrounding areas. Intuit launched the Prosperity Hub Program in 2016 to advance economic prosperity for people and communities in need.
To further support surrounding communities, Intuit will donate 1,600 renewable energy certificates (RECs) per year for the next 40 years, evenly split between Jefferson County and Hamblen County schools, making them among the first communities to specifically support local public schools from provide sustainable energy. Tennessee, and one of the first green energy schools in the Southeast. As part of its partnership with Intuit and local school systems, Clearloop is making a one-time grant of $100,000 in scholarships ($50,000 per school system) for high school students in Jefferson and Hamblen counties.
“Intuit has long been focused on creating a positive impact on the climate, an important issue that directly impacts the well-being and ability of people and communities to thrive. We take a holistic approach to climate and sustainability, driving initiatives internally across our operating footprint, supply chain and externally in the communities we serve,” said Debbie Lizt, head of global sustainability at Intuit. “Our partnership with Clearloop and the local community enables us able to put a meaningful and intentional focus on new solar projects in areas where we can deliver environmental and economic benefits to communities for years to come.”
REI’s partnership with Clearloop to help make the White Pine Solar Farm a reality will fuel the company’s energy new state-of-the-art distribution center in Lebanon, Tennessee, with 100% renewable energy. The distribution center will serve more than 60 stores and 5.6 million REI members in the area while using 30% less energy than code requires.
“The White Pine project represents an exciting addition to REI’s renewable energy portfolio. We are proud to help usher in new solar energy in the Tennessee Valley, a region where we recently opened a new distribution center, operate multiple stores and have thousands of members,” said Matt Thurston, division director of sustainability at REI.
As is the case with all Clearloop projects, the White Pine Solar Farm will be developed, owned and operated by parent company Silicon Ranch over the life of the project. This disciplined and community-oriented approach will help Clearloop maintain a vested interest in the East Tennessee region over the long term. The energy output of the White Pine solar project and the CO2 emissions it avoids are monitored live Clearloop website.
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