By Constance ThompsonSeptember 24, 2021
The American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) is delighted to share the next installment in our “Accelerating Renewables” blog series.
Each installment includes industry leaders and subjects connected to speeding up an equitable and simply shift to an eco-friendly energy economy. In acknowledgment of National Hispanic Heritage Month, our September functions highlight how three Hispanic-owned Accelerate member business are thriving in the sustainable energy sector.
Today, we are featuring Clearloop, an Accelerate member company founded by 3 Tennesseans who desire to make sure that the development and benefits of renewable resource reach all neighborhoods around our nation similarly, starting with the communities that have a history of getting left behind. Click HERE to find out 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 business?
Clearloop began as an idea that morphed into a company. In the early days– even before we had decided on the name– we were evaluating out the theory that more companies require to buy tidying up the electrical energy grid so those dollars can be invested increasing the economies in Middle America where access to clean energy is restricted. For me, as one of 3 creators, this company was inspired by the desire to bring clarity to a large issue with a basic solution. We desired companies to take environment action in the same community that invited my family as immigrants, and kept me going when things felt dark and the path was uncertain
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To read more about Clearloop, see https://clearloop.us/.
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How can potential partners work with you?
Were showing that you do not require to be a Fortune 500 company with the capability to sign a power purchase contract to assist build brand name new solar projects. Even big companies that have led the method in sustainable energy procurement are now faced with the reality that the most significant piece of their carbon footprint is in Scope 3, their value chain, where they may have little control over decrease methods or where reductions may not be immediate. That is where Clearloop can be found in– were a brand-new tool for services little and huge to take tangible climate action right now and assist us decarbonize the grid in the places that require it one of the most. We need more imaginative methods to assist take on the climate crisis in a manner that purchases the locations where that dollar develops more financial chance and social movement for the neighborhoods where were constructing. Were firm believers that the ecological, health, and economic advantages of tidy energy financial investments ought to reach all corners of our nation and were trying to find partners who are all set to act
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Inform us about Clearloop?
Clearloop is a cleantech startup that partners with business of all sizes to help them cut (or recover) their carbon footprint, clean up the grid, and expand access to tidy energy by constructing brand-new solar projects in American communities otherwise getting left behind. Were pioneering putting a carbon value on the construction of new solar capability thats measured in watts, not watt-hours, with a new financing structure that permits a wider selection of business to get involved, while also being intentional about the neighborhoods where were investing to attain a fair clean energy future. We recently began on our first utility-connected solar project in Jackson, Tennessee. As we grow, Clearloop will be concentrating on Appalachia and the Mississippi Delta as we tackle both filthy grids and economically distressed neighborhoods with our solar projects
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What challenges do you deal with? Why?
Among the most significant challenges for us, as a relatively new entrant in the tidy energy and carbon markets, is earning credibility with market leaders who may be utilized to doing things a specific way. Clearloop is challenging some of the traditional methods in which new solar advancements have actually been financed, and bringing attention to brand-new geographies and equity, to reinsert carbon emissions reductions into the corporate procurement conversation. Im a true follower that our perspective from the middle of the nation, and our lived experiences as founders from very various backgrounds, has brought into focus why we need more imaginative services to help clean up the grid. Weve been motivated by business partners like Intuit and Vista Equity Partners, in addition to brand names like Dropps and Hello Bello, whove bought reclaiming their carbon footprint by helping us develop our very first solar project. Weve likewise had the terrific fortune of finding like-minded organizations like ACORE who acknowledge the value of bringing varied viewpoints to cleaning up the grid and have in fact constructed a program like Accelerate to ensure we have a seat at the table
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Clearloop started as a concept that changed into a company. In the early days– even before we had chosen on the name– we were evaluating out the theory that more companies require to invest in cleaning up the electricity grid so those dollars can be invested increasing the economies in Middle America where access to tidy energy is limited. Clearloop is a cleantech startup that partners with business of all sizes to help them cut (or reclaim) their carbon footprint, tidy up the grid, and expand access to tidy energy by building brand-new solar jobs in American communities otherwise getting left behind. Were proving that you dont need to be a Fortune 500 company with the ability to sign a power purchase arrangement to assist build brand new solar jobs. Even big business that have led the method in eco-friendly energy procurement are now faced with the truth that the greatest chunk of their carbon footprint is in Scope 3, their worth chain, where they may have little control over reduction methods or where decreases may not be immediate.
