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

I was at a community meeting with 50 Black females organizers who were not invested in the community solar movement. To be able to provide a product that will save our neighborhood up to 60% on their energy bills is transformative.
WeSolars mission is to bring under-resourced communities affordable access to regional community solar and to assist commercial properties with energy efficiency. When I initially moved to Baltimore, the Community Solar Pilot Program was launched, and I wanted to guarantee city locals were receiving the same quantity of investment as the county. Eco-friendly energy has historically been a middle-class concern because Black neighborhoods have actually 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 connect with in order to make this partnership successful.

By Constance ThompsonAugust 27, 2021
The American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) is pleased to share the very first installment in our “Accelerating Renewables” blog series. Each installation will include market leaders and topics associated with speeding up an equitable and just shift to a renewable resource economy. In recognition of National Black Business Month, our August blog site is the very first in a series highlighting how Black-owned member companies are prospering 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 industry. Under her leadership, WeSolar is growing rapidly, providing consumers throughout Maryland and the District of Columbia access to inexpensive solar power, no matter home type, and helping hard-working families lower month-to-month expenditures.
What inspired you to start your company?
The plain fact that the majority of households who were getting eco-friendly energy rewards were higher earnings. I remember discovering this and believing there had to be a way to address this gap. I discovered there was an issue. I had my own concepts on how to solve it, and I wanted to have agency over my own choices. I was at a community meeting with 50 Black females organizers who were not purchased the community solar motion. It felt like a lightbulb had turned on for me once I started to explain how vital and immediate it was for us to be a part of the solar movement. I began revealing how higher-income neighborhoods and people in the residential areas were taking advantage of renewable tax incentives and had actually received a load of support. The truth is, energy use impacts Black home spending plans considerably. 36% of Black households experience a high energy problem, meaning they invest over 6% of their earnings on home energy bills. Thats an enormous percentage. To be able to use an item that will conserve our community up to 60% on their energy bills is transformative.
Inform us about your business?
WeSolars mission is to bring under-resourced neighborhoods inexpensive access to regional community solar and to assist industrial properties with energy effectiveness. In Maryland, legislators passed legislation that states 50 percent of its electrical energy must come from sustainable energy sources by 2030.
What challenges do you face? Why?
To a neighborhood that is already facing so many pressing challenges, persuading them that there is another one just as important is extremely challenging. I keep in mind attempting to explain neighborhood solar to my buddies and the discussion rapidly rotating to housing.
Please share with us a current company success story.
When I initially moved to Baltimore, the Community Solar Pilot Program was launched, and I desired to make sure city locals were getting the exact same quantity of financial investment as the county. Eco-friendly energy has traditionally been a middle-class problem because Black neighborhoods have actually had to live in survival mode, however Reverend Mason and Reverend Dewitt brought me into the circle and connected me with the individuals I required to connect with in order to make this partnership successful.
To get more information about WeSolar, check out wesolar.energy
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