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

I was at a neighborhood meeting with 50 Black females organizers who were not invested in the community solar movement. To be able to provide an item that will conserve our neighborhood up to 60% on their energy costs is transformative.
WeSolars mission is to bring under-resourced communities budget-friendly access to regional neighborhood solar and to assist business homes with energy effectiveness. When I initially moved to Baltimore, the Community Solar Pilot Program was released, and I wanted to make sure city locals were getting the exact same amount of investment as the county. Eco-friendly energy has historically been a middle-class concern 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 linked me with the people I needed to link 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 installment in our “Accelerating Renewables” blog site series. Each installation will feature industry leaders and topics related to speeding up an equitable and simply shift to a renewable resource economy. In acknowledgment of National Black Business Month, our August blog is the very first in a series highlighting how Black-owned member business are growing in the renewable resource sector.
Kristal Hansley is the Founder & & CEO of WeSolar, Inc and is the countrys first Black female CEO in the community solar industry. Under her management, WeSolar is growing quickly, offering consumers throughout Maryland and the District of Columbia access to inexpensive solar power, despite home type, and assisting hard-working households decrease monthly expenditures.
What inspired you to start your company?
The stark truth that the majority of homes who were getting eco-friendly energy incentives were greater earnings. I remember learning this and believing there had to be a method to address this gap. I noticed there was a problem. I had my own ideas on how to resolve it, and I desired to have firm over my own choices. I was at a community conference with 50 Black women organizers who were not bought the neighborhood solar movement. As soon as I began to explain how crucial and urgent it was for us to be a part of the solar movement, it seemed like a lightbulb had actually turned on for me. I started showing how higher-income communities and people in the suburbs were benefiting from renewable tax rewards and had actually received a lot of support. The truth is, energy use effects Black family spending plans significantly. 36% of Black households experience a high energy problem, implying they spend over 6% of their income on home energy costs. Thats a huge portion. To be able to offer a product that will save our neighborhood approximately 60% on their energy bills is transformative.
Tell us about your company?
WeSolars mission is to bring under-resourced neighborhoods budget-friendly access to regional community solar and to help business residential or commercial properties with energy performance. In Maryland, lawmakers passed legislation that states 50 percent of its electrical power must come from sustainable energy sources by 2030.
What difficulties do you deal with? Why?
To a community that is already dealing with numerous pressing difficulties, convincing them that there is another one just as crucial is very hard. I remember attempting to describe community solar to my friends and the conversation rapidly pivoting to real estate. The reality of the matter is, institutional bigotry and oppression are larger than we know, and it drowns our community. Where Black people are not being purchased, we are being asked to prioritize constantly for our survival.
Please share with us a recent company success story.
When I first moved to Baltimore, the Community Solar Pilot Program was introduced, and I desired to guarantee city residents were receiving the exact same amount of financial investment as the county. Sustainable energy has actually traditionally been a middle-class issue because Black neighborhoods have 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 link with in order to make this collaboration successful.
To find out more about WeSolar, visit wesolar.energy
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