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 happy to share the very first installation in our “Accelerating Renewables” blog site series. Each installation will feature industry leaders and topics connected to accelerating a fair and simply shift to a renewable resource economy. In recognition of National Black Business Month, our August blog is the first in a series highlighting how Black-owned member companies are flourishing in the renewable resource sector.
Kristal Hansley is the Founder & & CEO of WeSolar, Inc and is the countrys very first Black lady CEO in the neighborhood solar market. Under her leadership, WeSolar is growing quickly, providing customers across Maryland and the District of Columbia access to budget-friendly solar power, regardless of home type, and helping hard-working families minimize month-to-month expenses.
What inspired you to start your business?
I was at a community meeting with 50 Black females organizers who were not invested in the neighborhood solar motion. 36% of Black homes experience a high energy burden, suggesting they invest over 6% of their earnings on home energy expenses. To be able to offer an item that will save our neighborhood up to 60% on their energy expenses is transformative.
Tell us about your company?
WeSolars mission is to bring under-resourced communities inexpensive access to local neighborhood solar and to assist commercial homes with energy effectiveness. In Maryland, lawmakers passed legislation that states 50 percent of its electrical energy must come from eco-friendly energy sources by 2030.
What difficulties do you deal with? Why?
To a neighborhood that is currently dealing with so numerous pressing challenges, encouraging them that there is another one just as crucial is extremely hard. I keep in mind attempting to explain neighborhood solar to my buddies and the conversation quickly rotating to real estate. The reality of the matter is, institutional racism and oppression are larger than we understand, and it drowns our neighborhood. Where Black people are not being bought, we are being asked to prioritize constantly for our survival.
Please share with us a recent business success story.
When I first moved to Baltimore, the Community Solar Pilot Program was introduced, and I wanted to ensure city citizens were getting the exact same amount of investment as the county. Eco-friendly energy has actually traditionally been a middle-class problem since 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 link with in order to make this partnership successful.
To get more information about WeSolar, see wesolar.energy
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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 a product that will save our neighborhood up to 60% on their energy expenses is transformative.
WeSolars mission is to bring under-resourced communities budget-friendly access to regional neighborhood solar and to help business properties with energy performance. When I initially moved to Baltimore, the Community Solar Pilot Program was introduced, and I wanted to guarantee city locals were receiving the exact same amount of investment as the county. Renewable energy has traditionally been a middle-class issue since Black neighborhoods have had to live in survival mode, however 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.