Elly Yates-Roberts |
Solar power firm Qcells and Microsoft have agreed a new strategic partnership to develop a renewable energy supply chain.
Qcells will provide solar panels and engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) services to selected solar projects that are part of Microsoft’s power purchase agreements.
According to Microsoft, the partnership is the first of its kind, seeing an organisation that procures energy working directly with a solar supplier to drive adoption of renewable energy.
“Building a resilient solar energy supply chain is essential to advancing a global green energy economy,” said Brad Smith, vice chair and president at Microsoft. “Microsoft’s partnership with Qcells will help make this vision a reality by bringing innovation and investment to rural Georgia. As one of the world’s largest purchasers of renewable energy, this work will help bring more solar energy to the grid, faster.”
Justin Lee, CEO of Qcells, also added: “We’re striving to build and deliver turnkey clean energy solutions, including those made in America, and this partnership with Microsoft will help accomplish this vision. Similarly, Qcells is proud to play a role with Microsoft to bring more renewable energy online in the years to come. This first step is only the beginning of a great partnership that not only supports our two companies but helps deliver a clean energy future for customers and communities.”
The partnership covers 2.5 gigawatts of power, equivalent to the requirements of 400,000 US homes, and builds on Microsoft’s commitment to power all operations with energy from renewable sources by 2025.