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

I was at a community conference with 50 Black ladies organizers who were not invested in the neighborhood solar motion. To be able to provide a product that will save our neighborhood up to 60% on their energy bills is transformative.
WeSolars objective is to bring under-resourced communities budget friendly access to local community solar and to assist commercial properties with energy performance. When I initially moved to Baltimore, the Community Solar Pilot Program was launched, and I desired to guarantee city homeowners were getting the very same amount of investment as the county. Sustainable energy has actually historically been a middle-class concern because 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 people I needed to link 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 installment in our “Accelerating Renewables” blog site series. Each installation will include industry leaders and subjects connected to accelerating an equitable and just shift to a renewable resource economy. In recognition of National Black Business Month, our August blog site is the first in a series highlighting how Black-owned member business are flourishing in the renewable resource sector.
Kristal Hansley is the Founder & & CEO of WeSolar, Inc and is the countrys first Black lady CEO in the community solar industry. Under her leadership, WeSolar is growing quickly, supplying consumers across Maryland and the District of Columbia access to economical solar power, despite house type, and helping hard-working households decrease month-to-month expenditures.
What inspired you to begin your company?
I was at a community meeting with 50 Black ladies organizers who were not invested in the community solar motion. 36% of Black homes experience a high energy problem, indicating they spend over 6% of their income on house energy bills. 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 business?
WeSolars objective is to bring under-resourced communities economical access to local community solar and to assist business homes with energy performance. In Maryland, legislators passed legislation that specifies 50 percent of its electrical energy should come from sustainable energy sources by 2030.
What challenges do you face? Why?
To a community that is currently dealing with so lots of pushing difficulties, persuading them that there is another one just as essential is extremely hard. I keep in mind trying to discuss community solar to my good friends and the conversation quickly pivoting to housing.
Please share with us a recent company success story.
An extremely individual success story for me is cultivating a partnership with Maryland United Baptist Missionary Convention, Inc. I matured in a Baptist church in Brooklyn where my cousin was the pastor, and my mama was an organizer– community was sewn into my really being. When I first moved to Baltimore, the Community Solar Pilot Program was released, and I wished to make sure city homeowners were getting the same amount of financial investment as the county. It was the church that took me in, and the church that then supported my vision– bringing everything cycle. Eco-friendly energy has traditionally been a middle-class problem since Black communities have actually needed to reside in survival mode, but Reverend Mason and Reverend Dewitt brought me into the circle and connected me with individuals I needed to link with in order to make this collaboration effective.
To read more about WeSolar, go to wesolar.energy
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