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 neighborhood solar movement. To be able to offer a product that will conserve our neighborhood up to 60% on their energy bills is transformative.
WeSolars mission is to bring under-resourced communities inexpensive access to regional neighborhood solar and to help business homes with energy efficiency. When I initially moved to Baltimore, the Community Solar Pilot Program was released, and I desired to make sure city homeowners were getting the very same amount of investment as the county. Sustainable energy has actually historically been a middle-class problem since 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 individuals I needed to connect with in order to make this collaboration successful.

By Constance ThompsonAugust 27, 2021
The American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) is pleased to share the first installation in our “Accelerating Renewables” blog site series. Each installment will feature industry leaders and topics related to accelerating an equitable and simply transition to a sustainable energy 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 prospering in the renewable resource sector.
Kristal Hansley is the Founder & & CEO of WeSolar, Inc and is the countrys first Black female CEO in the neighborhood solar industry. Under her leadership, WeSolar is growing quickly, offering customers throughout Maryland and the District of Columbia access to inexpensive solar power, regardless of house type, and assisting hard-working households minimize month-to-month expenditures.
What inspired you to begin your business?
The plain truth that most of homes who were getting renewable resource rewards were greater income. I remember learning this and believing there needed to be a way to address this space. I saw there was an issue. I had my own ideas on how to fix it, and I desired to have firm over my own decisions. I was at a community meeting with 50 Black women organizers who were not purchased the community solar movement. As soon as I started to discuss how vital and urgent it was for us to be a part of the solar motion, it seemed like a lightbulb had switched on for me. I began demonstrating how higher-income neighborhoods and people in the residential areas were making the most of renewable tax incentives and had gotten a lots of assistance. The truth is, energy use effects Black family budget plans significantly. 36% of Black homes experience a high energy concern, implying they spend over 6% of their income on house energy costs. Thats a massive percentage. To be able to use an item that will conserve our neighborhood as much as 60% on their energy bills is transformative.
Tell us about your business?
WeSolars objective is to bring under-resourced neighborhoods economical access to regional neighborhood solar and to help business homes with energy efficiency. In Maryland, lawmakers passed legislation that states 50 percent of its electrical power should come from sustainable energy sources by 2030.
What challenges do you deal with? Why?
To a neighborhood that is already dealing with so lots of pushing obstacles, convincing them that there is another one simply as crucial is extremely hard. I keep in mind attempting to discuss community solar to my friends and the conversation rapidly pivoting to housing.
Please show us a recent company success story.
When I first moved to Baltimore, the Community Solar Pilot Program was introduced, and I wanted to make sure city citizens were getting the exact same quantity of investment as the county. Sustainable energy has actually historically been a middle-class problem 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 needed to link with in order to make this partnership effective.
For more information about WeSolar, see wesolar.energy
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