Google and EDP Renewables have signed a framework agreement to develop over 80 distributed solar projects of 650MWp (500Mwac) in the US.
The tech giant has signed a PPA through EDPR NA Distributed Generation (EDPR NA DG), marking the largest corporate sponsorship of distributed solar development in the US, according to data from S&P Global and BloombergNEF.
Initial projects will be constructed in Ohio, where Google runs a data centre complex in New Albany and a Google Cloud region in Columbus.
The primary focus of the initiatives will be PJM Interconnection's service area, which runs from New Jersey to Ohio.
The initiative, the Clean Energy Financial Benefit Sharing Program, will be funded through Google's purchase of impact renewable energy certificates (ImpactRECs), which provide direct investment into communities throughout the Midwest and Northeast and enable economic benefits for LMI communities.
The proposed project includes the launch of a community impact fund valued at $12 million to reduce energy poverty in the communities where the projects are built.
Sana Ouji, energy lead at Google, said: "What we heard through interviews with local community leaders and environmental justice advocates was that the disproportionate impact of a high energy burden remains a primary barrier to an equitable energy transition. Partnering with EDPR NA DG, we aim to reduce the energy burden in the communities where we operate, while progressing towards our 24/7 carbon-free energy goal."
Google earlier this month (April) entered into an agreement with Ørsted to procure renewable energy from the 268MW Helena Wind Farm in Bee County, Texas.