Renewable Power Perspectives Q&A with Kristal Hansley, Founder & CEO of WeSolar, Inc.
SUNMAK 16 Units per Set Solar Panel Mounting Z Brackets, Solar Panel Mounting Brackets Lightweight Aluminum Corrosion-Free for RVs, Trailers, Boats, Yachts, Wall and Other Off Gird Roof
22% Off
TP-Link Tapo Solar Panel A200, (Compatible with Tapo MagCam C425, Tapo C420, and Tapo C400), Long-Lasting Charging Power with High-Efficiency Solar Cells, IP65 Weatherproof, 360° Adjustable Angle
$39.99 (as of 18:32 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.).
Kristal Hansley is the Founder & & CEO of WeSolar, Inc. and is the countrys first Black Woman CEO in the neighborhood solar industry. Under her leadership, WeSolar is growing quickly, supplying consumers throughout Maryland access to inexpensive solar power, no matter house type and helping hard-working families decrease regular monthly expenditures
.
What inspired you to start your company?
The stark fact that the bulk of homes who were receiving renewable resource rewards were greater earnings. I remember learning this and thinking there needed to be a way to resolve this space. I observed there was an issue, I had my own concepts to fix it and I desired to have firm over my own decisions. I was at a community meeting with 50 Black ladies organizers who were not invested in the community solar movement. As soon as I began to explain how important and immediate it was for us to be a part of the solar motion, it seemed like a lightbulb had turned on for me. I began demonstrating how greater income communities and people in the residential areas were making the most of this and received a ton of support. The truth is, energy usage effects Black family budgets greatly. 36% of Black homes experience a high energy problem, meaning they spend over 6% of their income on house energy bills. Thats a huge portion. To be able to offer a product that will conserve our neighborhood approximately 60% on their energy bills is transformative
.
Tell us about your business? (mission, partners, areas you operate in, primary consumers, and so on).
WeSolars objective is to bring under-resourced neighborhoods budget friendly access to local neighborhood solar and to help commercial homes with energy efficiency. In Maryland, legislators passed legislation that states 50 percent of its electricity must come from sustainable energy sources by 2030
.
What obstacles do you face? Why?
To a neighborhood that is already dealing with so lots of pressing obstacles, encouraging them that there is another one simply as important is extremely hard. I remember attempting to explain neighborhood solar to my buddies and the discussion rapidly pivoting to real estate.
I was at a community conference with 50 Black females organizers who were not invested in the community solar motion. To be able to provide an item that will conserve our neighborhood up to 60% on their energy costs is transformative
.
WeSolars objective is to bring under-resourced communities economical access to local community solar and to assist industrial residential or commercial properties with energy efficiency. When I first moved to Baltimore, the Community Solar Pilot Program was launched and I desired to guarantee city citizens were getting the exact same amount of financial investment as the county. Renewable energy has actually historically been a middle class issue since 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 needed to connect with in order to make this collaboration effective
.
Please share with us a recent company success story.
When I first moved to Baltimore, the Community Solar Pilot Program was launched and I desired to ensure city homeowners were getting the exact same amount of financial investment as the county. Eco-friendly energy has actually historically been a middle class problem because 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 required to link with in order to make this collaboration effective
.
###.
By Constance ThompsonAugust 27, 2021
.
The American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) is thrilled to share the first installment in our “Ask an Accelerate Member” blog series. Each installation will include one of ACOREs Accelerate member business. August is National Black Business Month, so this month we are focused on Black-owned renewable resource business