Two major clean energy projects are now underway in Panola County.
Clearloop, a leading provider of carbon solutions that accelerate grid decarbonization “flipped the switch” on the first two of three planned solar projects in north Mississippi. The company commissioned the 6.6 MWDC Panola I Solar Farm and 6.6 MWDC Panola II Solar Farm in partnership with the local power company, Tallahatchie Valley Electric Power Association (TVEPA), as well as local economic development group, the Panola Partnership.
These projects, when combined with the Panola III Solar Farm, will prevent over 1 billion pounds of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere and generate enough renewable, cost-effective energy to power approximately 3,000 area homes annually in the cross-section of the Mississippi Delta and Appalachian Foothills.
More than 30 companies of all sizes, including Microsoft, Vista Equity Partners, Chicory Wealth, Rivian, Oak View Group, Goodr, and Grandma Mae’s Country Naturals, have come together to support the Panola I and II Solar Farms. The collective efforts of these organizations have driven decarbonization and economic growth in the county, and powered Clearloop’s commitment to maximize the environmental, educational, and economic benefits of climate dollars.
“Today is a monumental day for Panola County. Through our partnership with Clearloop and support from numerous organizations, we are able to bring locally generated, reliable renewable energy to our community for the first time ever,” Panola County Executive Director of Economic Development Joe Azar said.
“The Panola I and Panola II Solar Farms were strategically sited to welcome new businesses into our community, as these projects will serve as beacons of economic growth, demonstrating that our forward-thinking community is ready to meet the business requirements of the modern economy. Panola County is pleased to capture the significance of these solar projects in our official county logo.”
Inspired by this collaboration and the effects that the new solar infrastructure provided by Clearloop will have on the county, Panola County leadership unveiled the county’s new logo during the Flip the Switch event. The new logo integrates solar panels into its design, reinforcing the positive impact of the projects on the community’s identity.
As is the case with all Clearloop projects, the Panola solar projects were developed and will be owned and operated by Silicon Ranch, Clearloop’s parent company, for the projects’ entire 40-year lifetime. Clearloop and Silicon Ranch will maintain long-term partnerships with TVEPA and the Panola County community. Panola County’s partnership with Clearloop will help advance its goals for economic development.
