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

I was at a community conference with 50 Black women 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.
WeSolars objective is to bring under-resourced neighborhoods economical access to local community solar and to help commercial homes with energy performance. When I first moved to Baltimore, the Community Solar Pilot Program was launched, and I desired to ensure city citizens were getting the exact same quantity of financial investment as the county. Renewable energy has actually 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 linked me with the individuals I needed to link with in order to make this collaboration effective.

By Constance ThompsonAugust 27, 2021
The American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) is delighted to share the first installment in our “Accelerating Renewables” blog series. Each installment will include industry leaders and topics related to 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 flourishing in the sustainable energy sector.
Kristal Hansley is the Founder & & CEO of WeSolar, Inc and is the countrys very first Black female CEO in the community solar market. Under her management, WeSolar is growing quickly, offering customers across Maryland and the District of Columbia access to budget-friendly solar energy, no matter house type, and assisting hard-working families minimize month-to-month expenses.
What inspired you to begin your company?
I was at a neighborhood conference with 50 Black females organizers who were not invested in the neighborhood solar motion. 36% of Black households experience a high energy burden, suggesting they invest over 6% of their income on home energy expenses. To be able to use an item that will conserve our community up to 60% on their energy expenses is transformative.
Tell us about your company?
WeSolars objective is to bring under-resourced communities affordable access to regional neighborhood solar and to help commercial properties with energy effectiveness. In Maryland, lawmakers passed legislation that mentions 50 percent of its electrical energy must come from eco-friendly energy sources by 2030.
What obstacles do you deal with? Why?
To a community that is currently dealing with so many pressing difficulties, convincing them that there is another one just as important is really challenging. I keep in mind attempting to discuss neighborhood solar to my pals and the discussion quickly pivoting to housing.
Please share with us a recent business success story.
A really individual success story for me is cultivating a collaboration with Maryland United Baptist Missionary Convention, Inc. I grew up in a Baptist church in Brooklyn where my cousin was the pastor, and my mama was an organizer– neighborhood was sewn into my extremely being. When I initially moved to Baltimore, the Community Solar Pilot Program was launched, and I wanted to guarantee city citizens were getting the same quantity of investment as the county. It was the church that took me in, and the church that then supported my vision– bringing everything cycle. Eco-friendly energy has actually traditionally been a middle-class issue because Black neighborhoods have needed to reside in survival mode, but Reverend Mason and Reverend Dewitt brought me into the circle and linked me with the people I required to get in touch with in order to make this partnership effective.
To read more about WeSolar, visit wesolar.energy
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