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

By Constance ThompsonAugust 27, 2021
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The American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) is delighted to share the very first installation in our “Ask an Accelerate Member” blog series. Each installment will feature one of ACOREs Accelerate member companies. August is National Black Business Month, so this month we are focused on Black-owned renewable energy business

Please show us a current business success story.
A very personal success story for me is cultivating a collaboration with Maryland United Baptist Missionary Convention, Inc. I matured in a baptist church in Brooklyn where my cousin was the pastor and my mama was an organizer– community was sewn into my very being. When I first relocated to Baltimore, the Community Solar Pilot Program was launched and I wanted to ensure city citizens were receiving the same amount of investment as the county. It was the church that took me in, and the church that then supported my vision– bringing whatever cycle. Renewable resource has actually historically been a middle class issue since Black neighborhoods have actually needed to live in survival mode, however Reverend Mason and Reverend Dewitt brought me into the circle and linked me with the people I needed to connect with in order to make this partnership effective
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I was at a neighborhood meeting with 50 Black ladies organizers who were not invested in the neighborhood solar motion. To be able to offer an item that will conserve our community up to 60% on their energy costs is transformative
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WeSolars objective is to bring under-resourced neighborhoods inexpensive access to local neighborhood solar and to assist business properties with energy effectiveness. When I first moved to Baltimore, the Community Solar Pilot Program was launched and I desired to make sure city citizens were getting the same amount of financial investment as the county. Sustainable energy has historically been a middle class concern because 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
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Kristal Hansley is the Founder & & CEO of WeSolar, Inc. and is the nations very first Black Woman CEO in the neighborhood solar industry. Under her management, WeSolar is growing rapidly, supplying customers across Maryland access to inexpensive solar energy, no matter home type and assisting hard-working families reduce regular monthly expenses
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What inspired you to begin your company?
The stark reality that most of homes who were getting renewable energy incentives were greater earnings. I remember learning this and thinking there needed to be a way to address this space. I discovered there was an issue, I had my own ideas to resolve it and I desired to have agency over my own choices. I was at a neighborhood conference with 50 Black women organizers who were not bought the community solar movement. It felt like a lightbulb had actually turned on for me as soon as I began to explain how important and urgent it was for us to be a part of the solar motion. I began showing how higher earnings communities and individuals in the residential areas were making the most of this and received a lots of support. The fact is, energy usage effects Black home budget plans significantly. 36% of Black homes experience a high energy concern, suggesting they invest over 6% of their earnings on home energy costs. Thats a huge portion. To be able to use a product that will save our neighborhood approximately 60% on their energy costs is transformative
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Inform us about your business? (mission, partners, regions you run in, primary customers, and so on).
WeSolars objective is to bring under-resourced neighborhoods inexpensive access to local neighborhood solar and to assist business properties with energy performance. WeSolar introduced in Baltimore and will broaden to other cities in the future. Through WeSolar, electricity customers can purchase shared solar from a regional task without having to install any devices in their houses. In turn, residents save hundreds on their electrical power costs. In Maryland, legislators passed legislation that mentions 50 percent of its electrical power should originate from renewable resource sources by 2030
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What difficulties do you face? Why?
To a neighborhood that is already facing so numerous pushing challenges, convincing them that there is another one just as crucial is very challenging. I remember trying to explain neighborhood solar to my pals and the conversation quickly pivoting to housing.