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 site series. Each installment will include market leaders and subjects connected to speeding up an equitable and just 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 companies are thriving in the renewable energy sector.
Kristal Hansley is the Founder & & CEO of WeSolar, Inc and is the countrys very first Black lady CEO in the community solar market. Under her leadership, WeSolar is growing quickly, providing consumers throughout Maryland and the District of Columbia access to budget friendly solar energy, no matter house type, and assisting hard-working families reduce month-to-month costs.
What inspired you to begin your company?
I was at a neighborhood meeting with 50 Black ladies organizers who were not invested in the community solar movement. 36% of Black families experience a high energy concern, implying they spend over 6% of their income on house energy expenses. To be able to provide a product that will save our neighborhood up to 60% on their energy bills is transformative.
Tell us about your business?
WeSolars mission is to bring under-resourced communities affordable access to regional community solar and to help industrial homes with energy efficiency. WeSolar released in Baltimore and will expand to other cities in the future. Through WeSolar, electrical energy consumers can acquire shared solar from a regional task without needing to install any equipment in their houses. In turn, citizens conserve hundreds on their electricity bills. In Maryland, legislators passed legislation that mentions 50 percent of its electrical power need to originate from sustainable energy sources by 2030.
What challenges do you deal with? Why?
To a neighborhood that is currently dealing with many pressing obstacles, persuading them that there is another one just as essential is very challenging. I keep in mind trying to explain neighborhood solar to my pals and the conversation quickly pivoting to housing. The truth of the matter is, institutional racism and oppression is bigger than we understand and it drowns our community. Where Black individuals are not being invested in, we are being asked to prioritize continuously for our survival.
Please share with us a current business success story.
When I initially moved to Baltimore, the Community Solar Pilot Program was released, and I wanted to ensure city locals were getting the very same quantity of financial investment as the county. Eco-friendly energy has actually traditionally been a middle-class concern since Black neighborhoods have had to live in survival mode, however Reverend Mason and Reverend Dewitt brought me into the circle and linked me with the people I needed to connect with in order to make this collaboration successful.
For more information about WeSolar, go to wesolar.energy
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I was at a community conference with 50 Black women organizers who were not invested in the neighborhood solar movement. To be able to use an item that will save our neighborhood up to 60% on their energy expenses is transformative.
WeSolars mission is to bring under-resourced communities cost effective access to regional neighborhood solar and to help industrial residential or commercial properties with energy performance. When I first moved to Baltimore, the Community Solar Pilot Program was launched, and I desired to guarantee city residents were getting the very same quantity of investment as the county. Eco-friendly energy has traditionally been a middle-class issue since Black neighborhoods 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 needed to connect with in order to make this partnership effective.