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

I was at a community conference with 50 Black women organizers who were not invested in the community solar movement. To be able to provide a product that will save our community up to 60% on their energy bills is transformative.
WeSolars objective is to bring under-resourced neighborhoods budget-friendly access to regional community solar and to assist business residential or commercial properties with energy performance. When I first moved to Baltimore, the Community Solar Pilot Program was launched, and I wanted to ensure city homeowners were getting the very same amount of investment as the county. Renewable energy has actually traditionally been a middle-class concern since Black communities have 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 collaboration successful.

By Constance ThompsonAugust 27, 2021
The American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) is delighted to share the first installment in our “Accelerating Renewables” blog series. Each installation will include market leaders and subjects related to accelerating an equitable and simply shift to a sustainable energy 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 nations very first Black woman CEO in the neighborhood solar industry. Under her leadership, WeSolar is growing rapidly, offering customers across Maryland and the District of Columbia access to inexpensive solar power, despite home type, and assisting hard-working families decrease month-to-month expenses.
What inspired you to begin your business?
I was at a community conference with 50 Black ladies organizers who were not invested in the community solar motion. 36% of Black homes experience a high energy concern, meaning they invest over 6% of their earnings on house energy bills. To be able to offer an item that will save our neighborhood up to 60% on their energy bills is transformative.
Tell us about your business?
WeSolars objective is to bring under-resourced neighborhoods inexpensive access to local neighborhood solar and to assist business residential or commercial properties with energy efficiency. WeSolar introduced in Baltimore and will broaden to other cities in the future. Through WeSolar, electrical power consumers can acquire shared solar from a local task without having to install any devices in their homes. In turn, citizens save hundreds on their electrical energy expenses. In Maryland, lawmakers passed legislation that mentions 50 percent of its electricity must come from sustainable energy sources by 2030.
What challenges do you face? Why?
To a neighborhood that is currently facing numerous pressing challenges, persuading them that there is another one simply as essential is extremely tough. I remember attempting to describe community solar to my friends and the discussion rapidly pivoting to real estate. The reality of the matter is, institutional racism and oppression are bigger than we understand, and it drowns our community. Where Black people are not being bought, we are being asked to prioritize constantly for our survival.
Please show us a current business success story.
When I initially moved to Baltimore, the Community Solar Pilot Program was launched, and I desired to make sure city citizens were getting the same amount of investment as the county. Sustainable energy has actually historically been a middle-class concern due to the fact that 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 required to link with in order to make this partnership effective.
To get more information about WeSolar, check out wesolar.energy
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