Amazon has announced a partnership between Amazon Web Services (AWS) and GRID Alternatives to install rooftop solar systems at 10 nonprofit organizations and community facilities in eastern Oregon. This initiative is part of a $1.2 million contribution aimed at supporting clean energy access.
According to a news release by Amazon, solar arrays are being installed at various locations across Morrow and Umatilla counties, including senior centers, food pantries, transitional housing, and schools. The total capacity of these installations will be up to 250 kilowatts of carbon-free electricity. The initiative is designed to help offset utility costs, allowing these organizations to redirect funds toward their core missions.
The installations are scheduled to begin in November 2024 and will be completed over a five-month period. GRID Alternatives will manage the process at no cost to the recipients. The organizations will own the systems, while GRID Alternatives will handle long-term maintenance and performance monitoring.
Amazon is contributing $1.2 million to fund this community solar energy program in eastern Oregon. Since 2010, the company has invested over $28 billion in Oregon, including the development of AWS data centers in Morrow and Umatilla counties. These investments have supported local economies by contributing to job creation, small business development, and sustainability initiatives.
Amazon Web Services (AWS) is described as a comprehensive cloud platform offering over 200 services, including infrastructure technologies and emerging solutions such as artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning. It serves a wide range of customers, including startups, enterprises, and government agencies.
Additionally, Amazon provides various services such as online and in-person shopping, delivery of fresh produce, media distribution through devices like Alexa and Fire TV, cloud solutions via AWS, logistics operations, customer service support, and entertainment platforms like Amazon Originals, Prime Video, and Audible.