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Microsoft makes largest corporate solar deal in U.S. history, buying 315 megawatts

The power will come from approximately 750,000 solar panels.
Credit: Digital Vision., Getty Images
Solar Power Panels, Mt. Laguna, California, USA

Microsoft just announced what it calls “the single largest corporate purchase of solar energy ever in the United States,” buying 315 megawatts from two new solar projects in Virginia as part of its ongoing effort to power its global data centers with renewable energy.

The power will come from 750,000 solar panels spread across 2,000 acres at projects called Pleinmont I and II. With the purchase, the company says its total renewable energy portfolio will reach 1.2 gigawatts globally, which a Microsoft representative described as “enough power to light up 100 million LED bulbs, or send Marty McFly back to the future.”

Microsoft says it has reached its goal of powering at least 50 percent of its data centers with clean energy by this year. The company says the latest deal will help achieve its next goal, powering 60 percent of its data centers with clean energy by 2020.

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