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

I was at a neighborhood conference with 50 Black females organizers who were not invested in the neighborhood solar movement. To be able to provide an item that will conserve our neighborhood up to 60% on their energy expenses is transformative.
WeSolars objective is to bring under-resourced neighborhoods budget-friendly access to local community solar and to help business properties with energy performance. When I initially moved to Baltimore, the Community Solar Pilot Program was released, and I desired to make sure city residents were receiving the exact 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, but Reverend Mason and Reverend Dewitt brought me into the circle and linked me with the people 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 happy to share the first installation in our “Accelerating Renewables” blog site series. Each installation will feature market leaders and topics associated with speeding up a fair and just shift to a renewable resource economy. In acknowledgment of National Black Business Month, our August blog is the very first in a series highlighting how Black-owned member companies are thriving in the eco-friendly energy sector.
Kristal Hansley is the Founder & & CEO of WeSolar, Inc and is the nations first Black female CEO in the neighborhood solar industry. Under her leadership, WeSolar is growing rapidly, supplying customers throughout Maryland and the District of Columbia access to cost effective solar energy, no matter home type, and helping hard-working households decrease regular monthly expenditures.
What inspired you to begin your company?
The stark truth that most of families who were getting renewable resource rewards were higher income. I remember learning this and thinking there had to be a method to address this space. I observed there was an issue. I had my own ideas on how to fix it, and I wished to have firm over my own choices. I was at a neighborhood conference with 50 Black women organizers who were not purchased the neighborhood solar motion. As soon as I began to discuss how critical 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 started showing how higher-income communities and individuals in the suburbs were taking benefit of renewable tax incentives and had received a ton of support. The truth is, energy use impacts Black household budget plans significantly. 36% of Black families experience a high energy problem, meaning they invest over 6% of their income on house energy bills. Thats a massive percentage. To be able to use a product that will save our neighborhood approximately 60% on their energy bills is transformative.
Tell us about your business?
WeSolars objective is to bring under-resourced neighborhoods inexpensive access to regional neighborhood solar and to help commercial residential or commercial properties with energy efficiency. In Maryland, lawmakers passed legislation that states 50 percent of its electrical power should come from renewable energy sources by 2030.
What challenges do you face? Why?
To a community that is already dealing with so many pushing obstacles, encouraging them that there is another one just as important is extremely challenging. I remember trying to explain neighborhood solar to my buddies and the conversation rapidly pivoting to real estate.
Please show 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 residents were receiving the exact same amount of investment as the county. Sustainable energy has actually historically 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 link with in order to make this partnership effective.
To read more about WeSolar, see wesolar.energy
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