Google Invests $75 Million in Second Wind Farm in Texas

Google invested $75 million in another wind farm in Texas, reported SF Gate earlier this week.  In late December, Google finalized an agreement to purchase and develop a wind turbine site, Panhandle 2, in Carson County, near Amarillo.  Panhandle 2 is expected to generate enough renewable energy to power 56,000 homes.

Since 2010, the company has invested heavily in alternative energy.  Last year, Google announced it was investing $200 million in another Texas Panhandle wind farm, the Spinning Spur Wind Project, which is 35 miles from Amarillo.  In addition to the Panhandle wind farms, Google plans to purchase energy from the Happy Hereford wind farm, which is also located in Texas. 

Panhandle 2 was designed by wind developer Pattern Energy Group LP and is expected to produce 182 MW by late 2014.  It is Google’s 15th renewable energy investment overall.  The company said in a statement that Panhandle 2, along with the other renewable energy investments, is part of Google’s goal to operate on 100 percent renewable energy.

The Chanler Group is actively engaged in the review and analysis of incentive-based renewable energy programs to determine potential benefits to our clients.  Global energy consumption continues to increase each year and, with this increase, the demand for safe, clean, and unlimited energy is on the rise.  The Federal and State governments promote this interest through a variety of financially-beneficial incentives.  Our understanding of these laws allows us to guide homeowners, businesses, and/or developers through the various ways to take advantage of these incentive-based benefits.  With the appreciation that renewable energy laws and regulations are constantly changing, The Chanler Group is committed to investing in its understanding and practice of this area of law.