Renewable Power Perspectives Q&A with Kristal Hansley, Founder & CEO of WeSolar, Inc.
NETVUE Solar Panel for Bird Feeder Camera only, Type-C Charger, IP65 Waterproof for Outdoors, Continuously Power Supply, 360° Swivel Bracket
25% Off
BougeRV Solar Connectors Y Branch Parallel Adapter Cable Wire Plug Tool Kit for Solar Panel
20% OffI was at a neighborhood conference with 50 Black females organizers who were not invested in the neighborhood solar motion. To be able to provide an item that will conserve our community up to 60% on their energy bills is transformative.
WeSolars objective is to bring under-resourced neighborhoods cost effective access to local community solar and to assist industrial homes with energy efficiency. When I first moved to Baltimore, the Community Solar Pilot Program was launched, and I desired to guarantee city homeowners were receiving the exact same quantity of investment as the county. Sustainable energy has actually traditionally been a middle-class concern since Black neighborhoods have actually had to live in survival mode, however Reverend Mason and Reverend Dewitt brought me into the circle and linked me with the individuals I needed to link 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 series. Each installment will include industry leaders and subjects connected to speeding up an equitable and simply transition to an eco-friendly energy economy. In acknowledgment of National Black Business Month, our August blog is the very 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 industry. Under her leadership, WeSolar is growing rapidly, providing customers across Maryland and the District of Columbia access to economical solar energy, regardless of home type, and assisting hard-working households decrease monthly expenditures.
What inspired you to begin your company?
I was at a community meeting with 50 Black women organizers who were not invested in the community solar movement. 36% of Black families experience a high energy concern, meaning they spend over 6% of their earnings on house energy bills. To be able to offer a product that will save our neighborhood up to 60% on their energy bills is transformative.
Tell us about your business?
WeSolars objective is to bring under-resourced communities inexpensive access to local community solar and to help industrial residential or commercial properties with energy efficiency. WeSolar launched in Baltimore and will expand to other cities in the future. Through WeSolar, electricity customers can acquire shared solar from a regional project without needing to set up any equipment in their houses. In turn, residents conserve hundreds on their electricity expenses. In Maryland, legislators passed legislation that states 50 percent of its electrical energy must originate from eco-friendly energy sources by 2030.
What difficulties do you deal with? Why?
To a neighborhood that is already facing so many pressing challenges, convincing them that there is another one just as crucial is really hard. I remember trying to discuss neighborhood solar to my good friends and the conversation rapidly pivoting to housing.
Please share with us a recent company success story.
When I initially moved to Baltimore, the Community Solar Pilot Program was launched, and I wanted to ensure city residents were getting the very same quantity of investment as the county. Sustainable energy has historically been a middle-class problem since Black communities have actually 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.
To learn more about WeSolar, visit wesolar.energy
###