Grid Carbon Offsets
Grid Carbon Offsets (GCOs) democratize and transform the North American electrical grid, by stimulating clean energy in the areas where it is needed most. The purchase of GCOs activates new solar development in carbon intense regions, effectively reducing harmful emissions and displacing fossil-fuel generation on the dirtiest sectors of the grid. GCOs are impact investing at its highest level. This environmental attribute has catalytic action that reaches beyond clean energy. GCOs achieve Additionality, Emissionality, and Environmental Equality, and Environmental Stewardship and Leadership.
GCOs drive renewable energy development in the parts of the country that need it most. These areas typically have little or no incentives or energy legislations, so renewable energy projects are not viable or profitable.
GCOs make these projects viable by complementing the equity stack to fill the gap.
How GCO Additionality Works
25%
Data set
25%
Data set
US Electrical Grid
Comparison of West Virginia vs California
*SEIA, January 1, 2022
How are GCOs authenticated?
GCOs are generated by measuring the solar production and comparing it to the amount of Metric Tons of Carbon per Megawatt of Power that it replaced.
GCOs are measured, verified, retired, and reported. The process is transparent and authenticated. Buyers receive quarterly reports and an audited annual report from an independent third party confirming how many offsets they have generated.
The GCO authentication process provides buyers the assurance that their carbon reductions are achieved in a secure and seamless manner, and they have the ability to make bona fide marketing claims to the public at large.
The GCO methodology matches or exceeds current GHG protocol for avoided emissions, and allows for buyers to make legitimate claims for Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions reductions.
GCO Investors Fund Largest Solar Facility in West Virginia
The solar facility located at Oak Tree Farm in Old Fields, West Virginia, is the first of its kind to be funded by Grid Carbon Offsets.
GCO buyers paid $8.50 per metric ton of carbon in order to receive 15 years of offsets. Buyers are using GCOs to offset their scope one and two emissions, offsetting emissions from operations, air travel and personal emissions.
The West Virginia electric utility grid is powered primarily by burning coal. Based on the grid’s emission profile, the Oak Tree Farm facility is expected to reduce carbon emission by over 12,000 tons over its life.
The solar facility will offset almost 100% of Oaktree Farm's power consumption while saving the farm 20% on its electricity bill.
The project was constructed by Solar Holler, who is a Beneficial Corporation based in Shepherdstown, WV. Solar Holler provides well paying jobs to West Virginian residents.
The project was developed by Davis Hill Development and financed by Skyview Ventures.
The facility was built using racking and modules that were made in America.
The Oak Tree Farm project was completed in 2022. Construction on a similar sized solar facility in Old Fields, WV will begin in 2023.
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To purchase or to learn more about GCOs, please contact us.
To purchase or to learn more about GCOs, please contact us.
