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

By Constance ThompsonAugust 27, 2021
The American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) is happy to share the very first installation in our “Accelerating Renewables” blog series. Each installation will include market leaders and subjects connected to accelerating a fair and simply transition to an eco-friendly energy economy. In recognition of National Black Business Month, our August blog site is the very 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 Woman CEO in the community solar market. Under her leadership, WeSolar is growing rapidly, supplying customers across Maryland and the District of Columbia access to inexpensive solar power, despite home type, and helping hard-working families lower regular monthly expenses.
What inspired you to begin your business?
I was at a community conference with 50 Black females organizers who were not invested in the neighborhood solar motion. 36% of Black households experience a high energy problem, suggesting they invest over 6% of their earnings on home energy expenses. To be able to provide a product that will save our community up to 60% on their energy bills is transformative.
Inform us about your business?
WeSolars mission is to bring under-resourced neighborhoods budget-friendly access to local neighborhood solar and to assist business homes with energy performance. In Maryland, lawmakers passed legislation that states 50 percent of its electrical power must come from renewable energy sources by 2030.
What difficulties do you deal with? Why?
To a neighborhood that is already dealing with so many pressing obstacles, persuading them that there is another one just as crucial is very difficult. I keep in mind attempting to describe neighborhood solar to my good friends and the discussion rapidly pivoting to real estate.
Please show us a current business success story.
When I first moved to Baltimore, the Community Solar Pilot Program was introduced, and I desired to ensure city citizens were getting the very same amount of investment as the county. Renewable energy has traditionally been a middle-class issue due to the fact that Black communities have actually had to live in survival mode, but 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 successful.
To read more about WeSolar see wesolar.energy
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I was at a community meeting with 50 Black ladies organizers who were not invested in the neighborhood solar motion. To be able to use an item that will conserve our community up to 60% on their energy costs is transformative.
WeSolars mission is to bring under-resourced communities economical access to regional community solar and to assist industrial properties with energy performance. When I initially moved to Baltimore, the Community Solar Pilot Program was launched, and I wanted to make sure city residents were getting the exact same quantity of financial investment as the county. Eco-friendly energy has actually historically 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 individuals I required to connect with in order to make this collaboration successful.