Renewable Power Perspectives Q&A with Kristal Hansley, Founder & CEO of WeSolar, Inc.

I was at a community conference with 50 Black ladies organizers who were not invested in the community solar movement. To be able to use an item that will save our community up to 60% on their energy bills is transformative.
WeSolars mission is to bring under-resourced neighborhoods affordable access to regional community solar and to assist industrial properties with energy performance. When I initially moved to Baltimore, the Community Solar Pilot Program was introduced, and I desired to guarantee city locals were getting the exact same amount of investment as the county. Sustainable energy has actually historically been a middle-class problem due to the fact that Black communities have had to live in survival mode, but Reverend Mason and Reverend Dewitt brought me into the circle and linked me with the individuals I required to connect with in order to make this partnership successful.

By Constance ThompsonAugust 27, 2021
The American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) is happy to share the very first installation in our “Accelerating Renewables” blog site series. Each installment will feature market leaders and topics associated with accelerating an equitable and just shift to a renewable resource economy. In recognition of National Black Business Month, our August blog site is the first in a series highlighting how Black-owned member companies are thriving in the renewable energy sector.
Kristal Hansley is the Founder & & CEO of WeSolar, Inc and is the countrys first Black female CEO in the community solar market. Under her leadership, WeSolar is growing rapidly, offering consumers throughout Maryland and the District of Columbia access to economical solar power, regardless of house type, and helping hard-working families lower regular monthly costs.
What inspired you to begin your business?
I was at a neighborhood meeting with 50 Black ladies organizers who were not invested in the community solar movement. 36% of Black families experience a high energy burden, implying they spend over 6% of their income on home energy bills. To be able to offer a product that will conserve our neighborhood up to 60% on their energy costs is transformative.
Tell us about your company?
WeSolars mission is to bring under-resourced neighborhoods inexpensive access to local neighborhood solar and to help industrial residential or commercial properties with energy effectiveness. In Maryland, lawmakers passed legislation that mentions 50 percent of its electricity need to come from renewable energy sources by 2030.
What obstacles do you deal with? Why?
To a community that is currently dealing with so lots of pushing obstacles, persuading them that there is another one simply as important is really challenging. I remember attempting to discuss neighborhood solar to my friends and the discussion rapidly rotating to housing.
Please show us a current company success story.
When I initially moved to Baltimore, the Community Solar Pilot Program was released, and I wanted to ensure city locals were receiving the very same quantity of investment as the county. Sustainable energy has traditionally been a middle-class problem due to the fact that Black neighborhoods have had to live in survival mode, however Reverend Mason and Reverend Dewitt brought me into the circle and connected me with the people I needed to link with in order to make this partnership effective.
To find out more about WeSolar, check out wesolar.energy
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