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

I was at a neighborhood conference with 50 Black ladies organizers who were not invested in the community solar movement. To be able to use a product that will save our neighborhood up to 60% on their energy costs is transformative.
WeSolars mission is to bring under-resourced communities budget-friendly access to regional community solar and to help business properties with energy performance. When I first moved to Baltimore, the Community Solar Pilot Program was introduced, and I desired to guarantee city locals were receiving the exact same amount of investment as the county. Sustainable energy has traditionally been a middle-class concern due to the fact that Black neighborhoods have actually had to live in survival mode, but Reverend Mason and Reverend Dewitt brought me into the circle and linked me with the people I required to link with in order to make this collaboration successful.

By Constance ThompsonAugust 27, 2021
The American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) is happy to share the very first installment in our “Accelerating Renewables” blog series. Each installment will feature market leaders and topics related to accelerating an equitable and simply shift to an eco-friendly energy economy. In recognition of National Black Business Month, our August blog site is the first in a series highlighting how Black-owned member business are thriving in the renewable energy sector.
Kristal Hansley is the Founder & & CEO of WeSolar, Inc and is the nations very first Black female CEO in the neighborhood solar market. Under her leadership, WeSolar is growing quickly, providing customers across Maryland and the District of Columbia access to economical solar power, regardless of home type, and assisting hard-working households decrease regular monthly costs.
What inspired you to begin your company?
The plain truth that the bulk of households who were getting renewable resource rewards were higher earnings. I keep in mind learning this and believing there needed to be a way to resolve this gap. I noticed there was an issue. I had my own concepts on how to fix it, and I wanted to have company over my own choices. I was at a neighborhood meeting with 50 Black women organizers who were not purchased the neighborhood solar motion. It felt like a lightbulb had turned on for me once I began to explain how crucial and immediate it was for us to be a part of the solar motion. I began revealing how higher-income communities and individuals in the suburban areas were taking benefit of renewable tax incentives and had received a lots of assistance. The fact is, energy use impacts Black family spending plans significantly. 36% of Black homes experience a high energy problem, suggesting they spend over 6% of their earnings on house energy costs. Thats an enormous percentage. To be able to offer a product that will conserve our community up to 60% on their energy costs is transformative.
Inform us about your business?
WeSolars objective is to bring under-resourced neighborhoods economical access to local community solar and to assist commercial properties with energy performance. In Maryland, legislators passed legislation that states 50 percent of its electrical energy must come from sustainable energy sources by 2030.
What obstacles do you face? Why?
To a neighborhood that is already dealing with so numerous pushing challenges, convincing them that there is another one just as essential is extremely difficult. I remember trying to describe community solar to my friends and the conversation quickly rotating to housing.
Please show us a current business success story.
When I initially moved to Baltimore, the Community Solar Pilot Program was released, and I desired to ensure city homeowners were receiving the exact same quantity of investment as the county. Eco-friendly energy has actually traditionally been a middle-class concern 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 people I required to link with in order to make this partnership effective.
To get more information about WeSolar, go to wesolar.energy
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