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 first installment in our “Accelerating Renewables” blog series. Each installation will feature industry leaders and topics associated with speeding up a fair and simply shift to an eco-friendly energy economy. In acknowledgment of National Black Business Month, our August blog site is the very first in a series highlighting how Black-owned member companies are prospering in the renewable resource sector.
Kristal Hansley is the Founder & & CEO of WeSolar, Inc and is the nations very first Black woman CEO in the community solar market. Under her management, WeSolar is growing rapidly, providing consumers across Maryland and the District of Columbia access to cost effective solar energy, no matter home type, and helping hard-working households decrease regular monthly expenses.
What inspired you to start your company?
The plain reality that most of families who were receiving renewable resource incentives were greater earnings. I keep in mind discovering this and thinking there had to be a way to address this gap. I observed there was an issue. I had my own concepts on how to resolve it, and I desired to have company over my own decisions. I was at a neighborhood meeting with 50 Black women organizers who were not invested in the neighborhood solar movement. It felt like a lightbulb had actually turned on for me once I started to describe how vital and immediate it was for us to be a part of the solar motion. I started showing how higher-income neighborhoods and people in the residential areas were making the most of eco-friendly tax incentives and had actually received a heap of assistance. The fact is, energy use effects Black household budget plans significantly. 36% of Black families experience a high energy concern, meaning they spend over 6% of their earnings on house energy costs. Thats a massive percentage. To be able to use an item that will save our neighborhood as much as 60% on their energy expenses is transformative.
Inform us about your business?
WeSolars mission is to bring under-resourced communities affordable access to local community solar and to assist commercial homes with energy performance. In Maryland, lawmakers passed legislation that specifies 50 percent of its electrical power should come from renewable energy sources by 2030.
What challenges do you face? Why?
To a community that is currently dealing with so many pressing difficulties, persuading them that there is another one just as essential is really challenging. I keep in mind attempting to explain community solar to my buddies and the discussion rapidly rotating to housing. The fact of the matter is, institutional racism and oppression are larger than we understand, and it drowns our community. Where Black people are not being bought, we are being asked to focus on constantly for our survival.
Please share with us a recent company success story.
When I first moved to Baltimore, the Community Solar Pilot Program was released, and I wanted to make sure city homeowners were getting the exact same quantity of investment as the county. Renewable energy has actually traditionally been a middle-class concern because Black communities 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.
For more information 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 movement. To be able to provide a product that will conserve our community up to 60% on their energy expenses is transformative.
WeSolars mission is to bring under-resourced neighborhoods budget friendly access to regional community solar and to assist business properties with energy performance. When I initially moved to Baltimore, the Community Solar Pilot Program was introduced, and I wanted to ensure city residents were receiving the very same amount of investment as the county. Renewable energy has 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 required to link with in order to make this partnership successful.