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

I was at a neighborhood meeting with 50 Black ladies organizers who were not invested in the community solar motion. To be able to offer a product that will conserve our neighborhood up to 60% on their energy costs is transformative.
WeSolars mission is to bring under-resourced neighborhoods inexpensive access to local community solar and to assist industrial properties with energy effectiveness. When I first moved to Baltimore, the Community Solar Pilot Program was introduced, and I wanted to ensure city residents were receiving the same amount of investment as the county. Renewable energy has actually historically been a middle-class problem due to the fact that Black communities have had to live in survival mode, however Reverend Mason and Reverend Dewitt brought me into the circle and linked me with the people I required to connect 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 first installment in our “Accelerating Renewables” blog site series. Each installment will include industry leaders and subjects associated with accelerating an equitable and just shift to a sustainable energy economy. In recognition 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 eco-friendly energy sector.
Kristal Hansley is the Founder & & CEO of WeSolar, Inc and is the countrys very first Black lady CEO in the community solar industry. Under her management, WeSolar is growing quickly, supplying customers throughout Maryland and the District of Columbia access to inexpensive solar power, no matter house type, and assisting hard-working households lower regular monthly expenditures.
What inspired you to start your business?
I was at a neighborhood conference with 50 Black ladies organizers who were not invested in the community solar motion. 36% of Black households experience a high energy problem, meaning they spend over 6% of their income on home energy bills. To be able to offer an item that will save our neighborhood up to 60% on their energy bills is transformative.
Tell us about your business?
WeSolars mission is to bring under-resourced neighborhoods affordable access to local neighborhood solar and to assist business residential or commercial properties with energy effectiveness. In Maryland, legislators passed legislation that states 50 percent of its electricity must come from renewable energy sources by 2030.
What challenges do you face? Why?
To a neighborhood that is already facing so lots of pushing challenges, encouraging them that there is another one just as important is very difficult. I keep in mind attempting to explain neighborhood solar to my buddies and the discussion rapidly rotating to housing. The fact of the matter is, institutional bigotry and injustice are larger than we understand, and it drowns our community. Where Black individuals are not being bought, we are being asked to prioritize constantly for our survival.
Please share with us a current company success story.
When I first moved to Baltimore, the Community Solar Pilot Program was introduced, and I wanted to ensure city residents were receiving the very same amount of investment as the county. Renewable energy has actually historically been a middle-class issue since Black communities have actually had to live in survival mode, but 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.
To find out more about WeSolar, visit wesolar.energy
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