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 motion. To be able to offer an item that will save our neighborhood up to 60% on their energy costs is transformative.
WeSolars objective is to bring under-resourced communities budget friendly access to regional community solar and to assist commercial residential or commercial properties with energy performance. When I first moved to Baltimore, the Community Solar Pilot Program was released, and I desired to make sure city residents were getting the same quantity of financial investment as the county. Renewable energy has historically 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 required to connect with in order to make this collaboration effective.

By Constance ThompsonAugust 27, 2021
The American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) is pleased to share the very first installation in our “Accelerating Renewables” blog series. Each installment will include market leaders and topics related to accelerating an equitable and just transition to a sustainable energy economy. In recognition of National Black Business Month, our August blog site is the first in a series highlighting how Black-owned member companies are flourishing in the eco-friendly energy sector.
Kristal Hansley is the Founder & & CEO of WeSolar, Inc and is the countrys first Black female CEO in the community solar market. Under her management, WeSolar is growing quickly, providing consumers throughout Maryland and the District of Columbia access to cost effective solar power, despite home type, and assisting hard-working families decrease month-to-month expenses.
What inspired you to start your company?
The plain truth that most of homes who were receiving renewable energy incentives were higher income. I keep in mind discovering this and believing there needed to be a way to address this gap. I observed there was an issue. I had my own concepts on how to fix it, and I desired to have firm over my own choices. I was at a neighborhood meeting with 50 Black females organizers who were not bought the neighborhood solar motion. It felt like a lightbulb had turned on for me as soon as I started to describe how critical and urgent it was for us to be a part of the solar motion. I began showing how higher-income neighborhoods and people in the suburbs were taking advantage of sustainable tax incentives and had actually gotten a lot of assistance. The truth is, energy use impacts Black household budgets significantly. 36% of Black homes experience a high energy problem, indicating they invest over 6% of their income on home energy costs. Thats a huge portion. To be able to use an item that will conserve our community up to 60% on their energy costs is transformative.
Tell us about your business?
WeSolars objective is to bring under-resourced communities inexpensive access to regional community solar and to assist business homes with energy effectiveness. In Maryland, lawmakers passed legislation that specifies 50 percent of its electrical power should come from renewable energy sources by 2030.
What difficulties do you face? Why?
To a community that is already dealing with numerous pressing challenges, encouraging them that there is another one simply as important is really tough. I keep in mind attempting to discuss neighborhood solar to my buddies and the conversation rapidly pivoting to housing. The reality of the matter is, institutional racism and injustice are larger than we understand, and it drowns our neighborhood. Where Black people are not being purchased, we are being asked to focus on constantly for our survival.
Please show us a recent company success story.
When I initially moved to Baltimore, the Community Solar Pilot Program was introduced, and I wanted to make sure city locals were receiving the same amount of investment as the county. Renewable energy has actually historically been a middle-class problem due to the fact that 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 connect with in order to make this partnership successful.
To discover more about WeSolar, check out wesolar.energy
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