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

I was at a community conference with 50 Black ladies organizers who were not invested in the neighborhood solar motion. To be able to provide a product that will save our community up to 60% on their energy costs is transformative.
WeSolars mission is to bring under-resourced neighborhoods budget-friendly access to local neighborhood solar and to assist industrial properties with energy effectiveness. When I initially moved to Baltimore, the Community Solar Pilot Program was released, and I wanted to make sure city homeowners were receiving the very same amount of investment as the county. Renewable energy has traditionally been a middle-class problem because Black neighborhoods have 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 delighted to share the first installation in our “Accelerating Renewables” blog series. Each installation will feature industry leaders and topics related to accelerating an equitable and just transition to a renewable resource economy. In recognition of National Black Business Month, our August blog is the first in a series highlighting how Black-owned member business are growing in the sustainable energy sector.
Kristal Hansley is the Founder & & CEO of WeSolar, Inc and is the countrys very first Black lady CEO in the community solar market. Under her management, WeSolar is growing rapidly, providing customers throughout Maryland and the District of Columbia access to budget-friendly solar energy, regardless of house type, and assisting hard-working families minimize regular monthly costs.
What inspired you to start your company?
The plain fact that most of homes who were getting renewable resource rewards were higher income. I keep in mind learning this and believing there had to be a method to resolve this space. I saw there was a problem. I had my own concepts on how to solve it, and I desired to have agency over my own choices. I was at a neighborhood meeting with 50 Black ladies organizers who were not invested in the neighborhood solar movement. Once I started to describe how crucial and immediate it was for us to be a part of the solar motion, it seemed like a lightbulb had switched on for me. I began showing how higher-income communities and individuals in the suburban areas were taking benefit of sustainable tax rewards and had actually received a lots of assistance. The truth is, energy usage impacts Black household budget plans greatly. 36% of Black families experience a high energy burden, meaning they spend over 6% of their earnings on house energy expenses. Thats a huge portion. To be able to use an item that will conserve our neighborhood approximately 60% on their energy bills is transformative.
Inform us about your company?
WeSolars objective is to bring under-resourced communities budget friendly access to local neighborhood solar and to help commercial homes with energy effectiveness. WeSolar released in Baltimore and will expand to other cities in the future. Through WeSolar, electrical power customers can buy shared solar from a local job without needing to install any devices in their homes. In turn, residents conserve hundreds on their electricity expenses. In Maryland, lawmakers passed legislation that specifies 50 percent of its electrical power should originate from renewable resource sources by 2030.
What difficulties do you face? Why?
To a community that is currently dealing with so many pressing obstacles, persuading them that there is another one simply as crucial is very tough. I remember attempting to describe community solar to my good friends and the discussion rapidly pivoting to housing.
Please share with us a recent company success story.
When I first moved to Baltimore, the Community Solar Pilot Program was launched, and I wanted to ensure city citizens were getting the very same amount of investment as the county. Eco-friendly energy has actually traditionally been a middle-class issue due to the fact that Black neighborhoods have 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 link with in order to make this partnership successful.
To get more information about WeSolar, visit wesolar.energy
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