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

I was at a neighborhood conference with 50 Black women organizers who were not invested in the community solar motion. To be able to offer a product that will conserve our neighborhood 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 help commercial homes 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 receiving the exact same amount of investment as the county. Renewable energy has actually historically been a middle-class issue because Black neighborhoods 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 link with in order to make this collaboration successful.

By Constance ThompsonAugust 27, 2021
The American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) is pleased to share the very first installment in our “Accelerating Renewables” blog series. Each installation will include market leaders and subjects associated with 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 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 female CEO in the neighborhood solar industry. Under her leadership, WeSolar is growing quickly, providing customers throughout Maryland and the District of Columbia access to economical solar power, despite house type, and helping hard-working households lower monthly costs.
What inspired you to start your business?
I was at a community meeting with 50 Black ladies organizers who were not invested in the community solar movement. 36% of Black households experience a high energy burden, indicating they spend over 6% of their income on home energy expenses. To be able to provide an item that will conserve our community up to 60% on their energy costs is transformative.
Inform us about your company?
WeSolars objective is to bring under-resourced neighborhoods inexpensive access to regional community solar and to help commercial properties with energy efficiency. In Maryland, legislators passed legislation that specifies 50 percent of its electrical energy must come from sustainable energy sources by 2030.
What challenges do you deal with? Why?
To a community that is already facing numerous pushing difficulties, encouraging them that there is another one just as essential is very difficult. I remember trying to explain neighborhood solar to my pals and the conversation quickly pivoting to real estate. The reality of the matter is, institutional racism and oppression are bigger than we understand, and it drowns our community. Where Black people are not being purchased, we are being asked to focus on continuously for our survival.
Please show us a recent business success story.
When I first moved to Baltimore, the Community Solar Pilot Program was released, and I wanted to ensure city locals were getting the exact same amount of financial investment as the county. Renewable energy has traditionally been a middle-class issue since Black communities have had to live in survival mode, however 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, go to wesolar.energy
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