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

I was at a neighborhood conference with 50 Black women organizers who were not invested in the community solar movement. To be able to offer a product that will conserve our neighborhood up to 60% on their energy expenses is transformative.
WeSolars mission is to bring under-resourced neighborhoods affordable access to regional community solar and to assist business properties with energy efficiency. When I first moved to Baltimore, the Community Solar Pilot Program was launched, and I desired to make sure city citizens were receiving the very same quantity of investment as the county. Eco-friendly energy has actually traditionally been a middle-class problem due to the fact that 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 individuals 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 happy to share the first installation in our “Accelerating Renewables” blog series. Each installment will include industry leaders and subjects associated with accelerating an equitable and simply shift to a renewable resource economy. In acknowledgment of National Black Business Month, our August blog is the first in a series highlighting how Black-owned member companies are growing in the renewable resource sector.
Kristal Hansley is the Founder & & CEO of WeSolar, Inc and is the countrys very first Black woman CEO in the community solar market. Under her management, WeSolar is growing rapidly, offering customers across Maryland and the District of Columbia access to inexpensive solar energy, regardless of home type, and helping hard-working households reduce month-to-month expenditures.
What inspired you to begin your business?
I was at a community meeting with 50 Black ladies organizers who were not invested in the community solar movement. 36% of Black families experience a high energy burden, implying they invest over 6% of their earnings on home energy costs. To be able to provide a product that will save our community up to 60% on their energy expenses is transformative.
Inform us about your business?
WeSolars mission is to bring under-resourced communities budget friendly access to regional community solar and to help commercial properties with energy performance. In Maryland, lawmakers passed legislation that specifies 50 percent of its electrical power must come from renewable energy sources by 2030.
What challenges do you deal with? Why?
To a community that is currently facing so numerous pressing challenges, persuading them that there is another one simply as crucial is very tough. I keep in mind attempting to discuss community solar to my friends 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 introduced, and I wanted to make sure city citizens were getting the same amount of investment as the county. Renewable energy has actually historically been a middle-class concern since Black neighborhoods have actually had to live in survival mode, but 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 collaboration successful.
To read more about WeSolar, visit wesolar.energy
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