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 community solar movement. To be able to use a product that will conserve our community up to 60% on their energy costs is transformative.
WeSolars mission is to bring under-resourced communities budget friendly access to local community solar and to assist commercial residential or commercial properties with energy effectiveness. When I first moved to Baltimore, the Community Solar Pilot Program was launched, and I desired to ensure city locals were receiving the exact same amount of investment as the county. Eco-friendly energy has 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 connected me with the individuals I required to connect with in order to make this partnership effective.

By Constance ThompsonAugust 27, 2021
The American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) is delighted to share the very first installment in our “Accelerating Renewables” blog series. Each installation will include market leaders and subjects associated with accelerating a fair and simply shift to a renewable resource economy. In recognition of National Black Business Month, our August blog is the very first in a series highlighting how Black-owned member business are thriving in the renewable energy sector.
Kristal Hansley is the Founder & & CEO of WeSolar, Inc and is the countrys first Black lady CEO in the neighborhood solar market. Under her leadership, WeSolar is growing quickly, providing consumers throughout Maryland and the District of Columbia access to cost effective solar power, despite house type, and assisting hard-working families minimize regular monthly costs.
What inspired you to start your company?
I was at a community meeting with 50 Black women organizers who were not invested in the neighborhood solar motion. 36% of Black households experience a high energy concern, meaning they spend over 6% of their earnings on house energy expenses. To be able to offer a product that will conserve our community up to 60% on their energy expenses is transformative.
Tell us about your business?
WeSolars objective is to bring under-resourced communities affordable access to local community solar and to assist business properties with energy efficiency. In Maryland, legislators passed legislation that mentions 50 percent of its electrical power need to come from sustainable energy sources by 2030.
What challenges do you deal with? Why?
To a neighborhood that is already facing so many pushing difficulties, encouraging them that there is another one simply as important is very tough. I remember trying to describe community solar to my pals and the discussion quickly pivoting to housing.
Please show us a recent business success story.
An extremely individual success story for me is cultivating a partnership with Maryland United Baptist Missionary Convention, Inc. I grew up in a Baptist church in Brooklyn where my cousin was the pastor, and my mother was an organizer– neighborhood was stitched into my very being. When I initially transferred to Baltimore, the Community Solar Pilot Program was launched, and I desired to ensure city locals were getting the exact 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 full circle. Renewable resource has historically been a middle-class issue since Black neighborhoods have had to reside in survival mode, however 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 successful.
To find out more about WeSolar, go to wesolar.energy
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