Renewable Power Perspectives Q&A with Laura Zapata, Co-Founder of Clearloop

By Constance ThompsonSeptember 24, 2021

The American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) is delighted to share the next installment in our “Accelerating Renewables” blog site series.
Each installation features industry leaders and subjects related to accelerating an equitable and simply shift to a renewable resource economy. In recognition of National Hispanic Heritage Month, our September functions highlight how 3 Hispanic-owned Accelerate member companies are thriving in the renewable resource sector.
Today, we are featuring Clearloop, an Accelerate member business founded by 3 Tennesseans who want to ensure that the innovation and benefits of renewable resource reach all neighborhoods around our nation equally, beginning with the neighborhoods that have a history of getting left. Click on this link to discover more about Clearloops impact.
The following is a Q&A with Clearloop Co-Founder Laura Zapata and Constance Thompson, ACOREs Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Programs
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What inspired you to begin your company?
Clearloop started as a concept that morphed into a company. In the early days– even prior to we had actually decided on the name– we were checking out the theory that more business need to invest in cleaning up the electrical energy grid so those dollars can be spent increasing the economies in Middle America where access to clean energy is restricted.

Clearloop began as an idea that changed into a company. In the early days– even before we had decided on the name– we were evaluating out the theory that more business require to invest in cleaning up the electrical power grid so those dollars can be invested improving the economies in Middle America where access to clean energy is limited. Clearloop is a cleantech startup that partners with business of all sizes to help them cut (or recover) their carbon footprint, tidy up the grid, and expand access to tidy energy by constructing brand-new solar tasks in American communities otherwise getting left behind. Were proving that you dont need to be a Fortune 500 company with the ability to sign a power purchase agreement to help build brand name brand-new solar jobs. Even huge companies that have actually led the method in sustainable energy procurement are now faced with the reality that the most significant portion of their carbon footprint is in Scope 3, their value chain, where they might have little control over reduction strategies or where decreases might not be instant.

How can prospective partners work with you?
Were showing that you do not require to be a Fortune 500 business with the capability to sign a power purchase contract to assist construct brand name brand-new solar jobs. Even big companies that have blazed a trail in eco-friendly energy procurement are now confronted with the truth that the most significant chunk of their carbon footprint is in Scope 3, their value chain, where they might have little control over reduction methods or where reductions might not be immediate. That is where Clearloop comes in– were a brand-new tool for services huge and little to take tangible environment action right now and help us decarbonize the grid in the places that require it the a lot of. We require more innovative ways to help take on the climate crisis in a way that invests in the locations where that dollar produces more economic opportunity and social mobility for the neighborhoods where were constructing. Were firm believers that the environmental, health, and economic advantages of clean energy financial investments must reach all corners of our country and were looking for partners who are prepared to act
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Tell us about Clearloop?
Clearloop is a cleantech startup that partners with business of all sizes to help them cut (or reclaim) their carbon footprint, tidy up the grid, and expand access to tidy energy by building new solar projects in American neighborhoods otherwise getting left. Were pioneering putting a carbon worth on the building and construction of brand-new solar capacity thats measured in watts, not watt-hours, with a brand-new funding structure that allows a wider selection of companies to get involved, while also being intentional about the communities where were investing to accomplish an equitable tidy energy future. We just recently broke ground on our first utility-connected solar project in Jackson, Tennessee. As we grow, Clearloop will be concentrating on Appalachia and the Mississippi Delta as we deal with both filthy grids and financially distressed communities with our solar projects
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What difficulties do you face? Why?
One of the greatest challenges for us, as a relatively new entrant in the tidy energy and carbon markets, is making trustworthiness with market leaders who might be utilized to doing things a specific way. Clearloop is challenging a few of the traditional methods in which brand-new solar advancements have actually been financed, and bringing attention to new geographies and equity, to reinsert carbon emissions reductions into the corporate procurement conversation. Im a true believer that our vantage point from the middle of the nation, and our lived experiences as creators from extremely different backgrounds, has actually brought into focus why we need more creative solutions to help clean up the grid. Weve been encouraged by corporate partners like Intuit and Vista Equity Partners, along with brand names like Dropps and Hello Bello, whove purchased reclaiming their carbon footprint by assisting us develop our extremely first solar project. Weve likewise had the excellent fortune of finding like-minded companies like ACORE who acknowledge the value of bringing diverse perspectives to tidying up the grid and have in fact developed a program like Accelerate to ensure we have a seat at the table
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For more information about Clearloop, go to https://clearloop.us/.
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