Electric vehicle manufacturer Rivian invests in solar energy – pv USA magazine

May 22, 2024 Ryan Kennedy

US electric vehicle manufacturer Rivian announced that it has entered into an agreement with Pivot Energy to purchase renewable energy certificates (RECs) as well as subscribe to part of a community solar project.

The agreement includes a subscription of 10 MW of off-site solar power to support Rivian’s manufacturing capacity in Illinois. Rivian will also purchase RECs generated from operating 50 MW solar plants.

The REC Impact Agreement aims to support the development of projects where emissions reductions are most needed. REC-related projects are intended for installation in locations with little solar energy resources.

“According to the EPA, the area of ​​the electrical grid where solar projects will be located is 67% more polluted than the entire U.S. grid, which means the region emits two-thirds more greenhouse gases from fossil fuels than other areas,” he added . said PivotEnergy.

Newly constructed REC projects are expected to generate 79,000 megawatt-hours of electricity annually, equivalent to powering nearly 11,000 homes annually.

Both companies will invest $5,000 in each MW built in local community organizations. Donations associated with each MW built will support local community organizations working to reduce the energy burden on low-income families by developing solar workforce development pathways for local residents and groups working at the intersection of agriculture and energy production.

“Our partnership with Pivot shows how we are going a step further by investing in projects that not only deliver additional clean energy to the grid, but also deliver positive community, environmental and climate benefits,” said Andrew Peterman, Director of Advanced Solutions energy, Rivian.

Rivian’s decarbonization strategy includes plans to support 2 GW of renewable energy each year to support zero-emission electric vehicle charging. That’s enough to drive an R1 truck 7 billion miles using renewable energy every year.

Rivian says its Normal, Ill., manufacturing facility is expected to use more than 90% carbon-free energy per hour and will be powered by 100% renewable energy every year by 2030.