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

By Constance ThompsonAugust 27, 2021
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The American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) is enjoyed share the very first installment in our “Ask an Accelerate Member” blog series. Each installation will include among ACOREs Accelerate member companies. August is National Black Business Month, so this month we are focused on Black-owned renewable resource companies

I was at a neighborhood conference with 50 Black women 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 costs is transformative
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WeSolars objective is to bring under-resourced neighborhoods economical access to local community solar and to assist business properties with energy effectiveness. When I first moved to Baltimore, the Community Solar Pilot Program was released and I desired to ensure city homeowners were getting the same quantity of financial investment as the county. Sustainable energy has actually traditionally been a middle class concern since Black communities have had to live in survival mode, but Reverend Mason and Reverend Dewitt brought me into the circle and connected me with the people I required to connect with in order to make this collaboration effective
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Please share with us a recent business success story.
When I initially moved to Baltimore, the Community Solar Pilot Program was launched and I desired to make sure city residents were getting the very same quantity of financial investment as the county. Sustainable energy has actually historically been a middle class issue 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 individuals I needed to connect with in order to make this partnership effective
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Kristal Hansley is the Founder & & CEO of WeSolar, Inc. and is the countrys first Black Woman CEO in the community solar market. Under her management, WeSolar is growing rapidly, supplying consumers throughout Maryland access to affordable solar energy, despite house type and assisting hard-working households minimize regular monthly costs
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What inspired you to start your business?
I was at a neighborhood meeting with 50 Black women organizers who were not invested in the community solar motion. I started showing how higher earnings neighborhoods and individuals in the suburbs were taking benefit of this and received a lot of support. To be able to use a product that will save our community up to 60% on their energy costs is transformative
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Inform us about your business? (mission, partners, areas you operate in, main consumers, and so on).
WeSolars objective is to bring under-resourced neighborhoods affordable access to local community solar and to help commercial properties with energy effectiveness. In Maryland, lawmakers passed legislation that specifies 50 percent of its electricity need to come from eco-friendly energy sources by 2030
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What difficulties do you face? Why?
To a community that is currently facing so many pushing challenges, convincing them that there is another one simply as crucial is really difficult. I keep in mind trying to explain community solar to my friends and the conversation rapidly rotating to real estate.