Renewable Power Perspectives Q&A with Laura Zapata, Co-Founder of Clearloop
By Constance ThompsonSeptember 24, 2021
To find out more about Clearloop, visit https://clearloop.us/.
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The American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) is happy to share the next installment in our “Accelerating Renewables” blog series.
Each installation features market leaders and subjects associated with accelerating an equitable and simply shift to a renewable energy economy. In recognition of National Hispanic Heritage Month, our September functions highlight how three Hispanic-owned Accelerate member business are prospering in the renewable resource sector.
Today, we are including Clearloop, an Accelerate member business founded by 3 Tennesseans who want to make sure that the innovation and benefits of sustainable energy reach all neighborhoods around our country similarly, starting with the communities that have a history of getting left. Click on this link to read more about Clearloops impact.
The following is a Q&A with Clearloop Co-Founder Laura Zapata and Constance Thompson, ACOREs Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Programs
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What inspired you to start your company?
Clearloop started as a concept that changed into a company. In the early days– even before we had decided on the name– we were checking out the theory that more business require to invest in cleaning up the electrical energy grid so those dollars can be invested enhancing the economies in Middle America where access to tidy energy is restricted. For me, as one of three founders, this business was motivated by the desire to bring clearness to a large problem with a basic solution. We desired companies to take environment action in the very same community that invited my family as immigrants, and kept me going when things felt dark and the path was unclear
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How can potential partners do business with you?
Were showing that you do not require to be a Fortune 500 business with the capability to sign a power purchase agreement to help construct brand name brand-new solar projects. Even huge business that have actually led the way in renewable energy procurement are now faced with the truth that the most significant piece of their carbon footprint is in Scope 3, their value chain, where they might have little control over reduction methods or where reductions may not be immediate.
Inform us about Clearloop?
Clearloop is a cleantech start-up that partners with business of all sizes to help them cut (or reclaim) their carbon footprint, clean up the grid, and expand access to tidy energy by developing new solar jobs in American neighborhoods otherwise getting left. Were pioneering putting a carbon value on the building and construction of new solar capacity thats determined in watts, not watt-hours, with a brand-new financing structure that enables a wider variety of business to get involved, while also being intentional about the neighborhoods where were investing to attain a fair tidy energy future. We recently began on our first utility-connected solar job in Jackson, Tennessee. As we grow, Clearloop will be concentrating on Appalachia and the Mississippi Delta as we deal with both filthy grids and economically distressed neighborhoods with our solar tasks
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What obstacles do you face? Why?
Among the biggest obstacles for us, as a reasonably new entrant in the tidy energy and carbon markets, is making credibility with industry leaders who might be used to doing things a certain method. Clearloop is challenging some of the standard methods which brand-new solar developments have actually been funded, and bringing attention to new geographies and equity, to reinsert carbon emissions decreases into the corporate procurement conversation. Im a true follower that our viewpoint from the middle of the nation, and our lived experiences as founders from really various backgrounds, has actually brought into focus why we need more imaginative services to assist tidy up the grid. Weve been motivated by corporate partners like Intuit and Vista Equity Partners, as well as brand names like Dropps and Hello Bello, whove invested in recovering their carbon footprint by assisting us construct our very first solar task. Weve likewise had the terrific fortune of discovering like-minded companies like ACORE who acknowledge the value of bringing diverse point of views to tidying up the grid and have in fact developed a program like Accelerate to guarantee we have a seat at the table
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Clearloop started as a concept that morphed into a business. In the early days– even before we had decided on the name– we were testing out the theory that more companies require to invest in cleaning up the electricity grid so those dollars can be invested improving the economies in Middle America where access to tidy energy is limited. Clearloop is a cleantech start-up that partners with companies of all sizes to help them cut (or recover) their carbon footprint, tidy up the grid, and broaden access to clean energy by developing new solar jobs in American communities otherwise getting left behind. Were showing that you do not require to be a Fortune 500 business with the capability to sign a power purchase contract to assist build brand new solar projects. Even huge business that have actually led the way in eco-friendly energy procurement are now faced with the reality that the biggest portion of their carbon footprint is in Scope 3, their value chain, where they may have little control over reduction techniques or where reductions might not be instant.