Microsoft has signed a 500MW distributed solar deal in the US.

It has agreed a five-year framework agreement with Pivot Energy to develop up to 500MW of community-scale solar energy projects across the United States between 2025 and 2029.

The agreement will enable Pivot to develop 150 solar projects in 100 communities across 20 states, including Colorado, Maryland, Illinois, Delaware, Pennsylvania, and Ohio. Microsoft will purchase the project Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) for a 20-year term. The first projects are expected to come online before the end of 2024.

The agreement represents Pivot’s largest REC agreement and Microsoft’s first major distributed generation portfolio.

“An economy fueled by clean, distributed energy can do more than provide power at low cost; it drives growth and success in communities across the nation," said Tom Hunt, CEO of Pivot Energy. "This collaboration between Pivot Energy and Microsoft exemplifies the power and impact that distributed generation can have."

The clean energy transition "can and should benefit communities across the United States that have been historically excluded from economic opportunity,” added Adrian Anderson, GM, renewables, carbon free energy, CDR, Microsoft.

Anderson said: “Through our work with Pivot Energy and with its commitments to driving community impact, this collaboration helps to build more inclusive, local economic growth across 100 communities while addressing the sustainability needs and opportunities within those communities.”