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

By Constance ThompsonAugust 27, 2021
The American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) is delighted to share the first installation in our “Accelerating Renewables” blog series. Each installation will feature industry leaders and topics connected to accelerating an equitable and just transition to an eco-friendly energy economy. In recognition of National Black Business Month, our August blog is the first in a series highlighting how Black-owned member business are prospering in the renewable resource sector.
Kristal Hansley is the Founder & & CEO of WeSolar, Inc and is the nations very first Black female CEO in the community solar market. Under her management, WeSolar is growing quickly, supplying customers throughout Maryland and the District of Columbia access to budget-friendly solar power, no matter house type, and helping hard-working families lower regular monthly expenditures.
What inspired you to start your business?
The plain fact that the bulk of homes who were receiving renewable resource rewards were higher income. I keep in mind discovering this and thinking there had to be a way to address this gap. I saw there was a problem. I had my own ideas on how to fix it, and I wished to have agency over my own decisions. I was at a neighborhood conference with 50 Black women organizers who were not purchased the community solar motion. As soon as I started to discuss how important and immediate it was for us to be a part of the solar movement, it felt like a lightbulb had actually switched on for me. I started showing how higher-income communities and individuals in the suburbs were making the most of sustainable tax rewards and had gotten a lot of assistance. The truth is, energy usage impacts Black family budget plans significantly. 36% of Black homes experience a high energy problem, suggesting they invest over 6% of their earnings on home energy expenses. Thats an enormous percentage. To be able to provide a product that will conserve our community up to 60% on their energy expenses is transformative.
Tell us about your business?
WeSolars objective is to bring under-resourced communities budget friendly access to local community solar and to assist business residential or commercial properties with energy efficiency. In Maryland, lawmakers passed legislation that states 50 percent of its electricity need to come from renewable energy sources by 2030.
What obstacles do you face? Why?
To a community that is already dealing with so lots of pushing challenges, convincing them that there is another one simply as important is very tough. I remember trying to discuss community solar to my pals and the conversation rapidly rotating to real estate.
Please share with us a current business success story.
When I first moved to Baltimore, the Community Solar Pilot Program was introduced, and I desired to make sure city locals were receiving the very same quantity of investment as the county. Sustainable energy has traditionally been a middle-class concern because 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 link with in order to make this partnership successful.
To find out more about WeSolar, visit wesolar.energy
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I was at a neighborhood meeting with 50 Black women organizers who were not invested in the community solar motion. To be able to offer a product that will save our neighborhood up to 60% on their energy costs is transformative.
WeSolars mission is to bring under-resourced neighborhoods budget friendly access to regional community solar and to assist commercial homes with energy efficiency. When I initially moved to Baltimore, the Community Solar Pilot Program was introduced, and I desired to ensure city residents were getting the same quantity of financial investment as the county. Eco-friendly energy has traditionally been a middle-class problem since Black communities have actually 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 connect with in order to make this collaboration effective.