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 delighted to share the first installation in our “Accelerating Renewables” blog site series. Each installation will include industry leaders and subjects related to speeding up a fair and just transition to a renewable resource economy. In recognition of National Black Business Month, our August blog is the first in a series highlighting how black-owned member business are thriving in the renewable resource sector.
Kristal Hansley is the Founder & & CEO of WeSolar, Inc and is the nations first Black Woman CEO in the community solar market. Under her management, WeSolar is growing rapidly, providing customers across Maryland and the District of Columbia access to budget friendly solar energy, despite house type, and helping hard-working households minimize regular monthly expenditures.
What inspired you to start your company?
I was at a neighborhood conference with 50 Black ladies organizers who were not invested in the neighborhood solar motion. 36% of Black homes experience a high energy concern, suggesting they invest over 6% of their income on home energy bills. To be able to use an item that will conserve our neighborhood up to 60% on their energy costs is transformative.
Inform us about your company?
WeSolars objective is to bring under-resourced communities economical access to local community solar and to help commercial homes with energy performance. In Maryland, legislators passed legislation that mentions 50 percent of its electricity must come from eco-friendly energy sources by 2030.
What difficulties do you deal with? Why?
To a community that is currently facing numerous pressing challenges, persuading them that there is another one just as important is very hard. I remember attempting to describe neighborhood solar to my pals and the discussion quickly pivoting to real estate. The fact of the matter is, institutional bigotry and injustice is larger than we know and it drowns our community. Where Black people are not being invested in, we are being asked to prioritize constantly for our survival.
Please show us a recent business success story.
When I initially 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 actually historically been a middle-class concern 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 linked me with the individuals I needed to connect with in order to make this collaboration successful.
To find out more about WeSolar check out wesolar.energy
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I was at a community conference with 50 Black women organizers who were not invested in the community solar motion. To be able to provide an item that will conserve our neighborhood up to 60% on their energy expenses is transformative.
WeSolars objective is to bring under-resourced neighborhoods inexpensive access to local community solar and to help business homes with energy efficiency. When I first moved to Baltimore, the Community Solar Pilot Program was launched, and I wanted to guarantee city citizens were receiving the very same quantity of investment as the county. Renewable energy has historically been a middle-class problem since 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 link with in order to make this collaboration effective.