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 topics associated with speeding up an equitable and simply shift to a renewable energy economy. In recognition of National Black Business Month, our August blog is the very first in a series highlighting how black-owned member companies are growing in the eco-friendly energy 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 management, WeSolar is growing rapidly, supplying customers across Maryland and the District of Columbia access to budget friendly solar power, regardless of house type, and assisting hard-working households minimize monthly expenses.
What inspired you to begin your company?
I was at a community conference with 50 Black females organizers who were not invested in the neighborhood solar movement. 36% of Black households experience a high energy burden, implying they invest over 6% of their earnings on home energy expenses. To be able to offer a product that will conserve our community up to 60% on their energy expenses is transformative.
Inform us about your business?
WeSolars mission is to bring under-resourced communities cost effective access to regional community solar and to assist industrial homes with energy efficiency. In Maryland, legislators passed legislation that states 50 percent of its electrical energy need to come from renewable energy sources by 2030.
What challenges do you deal with? Why?
To a community that is already facing so many pushing challenges, persuading them that there is another one just as essential is very challenging. I keep in mind trying to explain community solar to my friends and the conversation quickly rotating to real estate.
Please show us a current company success story.
When I first moved to Baltimore, the Community Solar Pilot Program was introduced, and I desired to guarantee city homeowners were receiving the exact same amount of investment as the county. Eco-friendly energy has actually historically been a middle-class problem since Black neighborhoods have actually 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 collaboration effective.
To find out more about WeSolar visit wesolar.energy
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I was at a community meeting with 50 Black women organizers who were not invested in the neighborhood solar movement. To be able to provide a product that will conserve our community up to 60% on their energy expenses is transformative.
WeSolars objective is to bring under-resourced neighborhoods budget friendly access to regional community solar and to assist business properties with energy performance. When I first moved to Baltimore, the Community Solar Pilot Program was launched, and I wanted to guarantee city residents were receiving the same quantity of investment as the county. Sustainable energy has actually historically been a middle-class issue due to the fact that 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 needed to link with in order to make this collaboration successful.