A group of powerhouse companies — Cisco, Biogen, IDEXX Laboratories, and Waters Corporation — is making a bold move toward a smarter, more stable energy future.

Together, they’ve secured more than 170 megawatts of affordable solar energy from two upcoming solar farms in Texas, according to Sustainability Roundtable.

The deal, organized through the Net Zero Consortium for Buyers, uses a group-buying strategy known as a virtual power purchase agreement (VPPA) to lock in fixed energy pricing from the new solar projects.

These kinds of joint purchases make it easier for businesses to reduce long-term energy risks without going it alone, and they’re becoming a popular way to invest in clean energy while protecting the bottom line.

Cisco took the biggest share, committing to 100 megawatts, while the others made smaller but still impactful purchases.

The two solar farms, developed by global renewable firm X-ELIO, are expected to go live in 2027 and will generate around 367,000 clean energy certificates annually, helping each company shrink its air pollution footprint.

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This move is more than a win for clean energy — it’s a signal that the clean economy is becoming the smart economy.

By reducing exposure to price spikes and investing in long-term savings, these companies are showing how sustainability-focused businesses can drive lasting value.

Deals like this also support job creation, strengthen the U.S. energy grid, and help make affordable power more widely available.

It’s the same trend we’ve seen across the country. Solar panel manufacturing has helped revive the local economy in Georgia, while the new Willow Rock Energy Storage Center is boosting grid reliability while supporting a transition to more affordable power in California.

While the ESG investing bubble may have burst for some, the momentum behind cleaner strategies hasn’t slowed down.

A study published in the Environmental Science and Technology journal has highlighted that renewable energy investments continue to outperform dirty energy, offering both environmental benefits and financial returns.

Individuals can contribute to the clean energy movement by engaging in actions such as installing solar panels and taking advantage of tax incentives for energy-efficient home improvements.

Director at Cisco Andy Smith said, “Joining other buyers enables us to spread our procurement across multiple transactions, diversifying our renewable energy portfolio in a way that decreases risk and increases cost-effectiveness.”

Sustainability Roundtable CEO James Boyle added, “[NZCB high-credit buyers] repeatedly demonstrate that economic and intellectual collaboration between the smartest companies can cause new clean energy at scale.”

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