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 pleased to share the next installment in our “Accelerating Renewables” blog site series.
Each installment features market leaders and subjects associated with accelerating a fair and just shift to a sustainable energy economy. In recognition of National Hispanic Heritage Month, our September functions highlight how three Hispanic-owned Accelerate member companies are thriving in the renewable resource sector.
Today, we are featuring Clearloop, an Accelerate member company established by three Tennesseans who desire to make sure that the development and benefits of renewable energy reach all neighborhoods around our country similarly, beginning with the neighborhoods that have a history of getting left behind. Click HERE to read more about Clearloops effect.
The following is a Q&A with Clearloop Co-Founder Laura Zapata and Constance Thompson, ACOREs Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Programs
.
What inspired you to begin your company?
Clearloop started as a concept that morphed into a company. In the early days– even before we had actually decided on the name– we were testing out the theory that more companies need to buy tidying up the electrical power grid so those dollars can be invested increasing the economies in Middle America where access to tidy energy is restricted. For me, as one of 3 creators, this company was inspired by the desire to bring clearness to a large problem with an easy service. We wanted business to take climate action in the very same neighborhood that welcomed my household as immigrants, and kept me going when things felt dark and the course was unclear
.

Clearloop started as a concept that changed into a business. In the early days– even prior to we had chosen on the name– we were evaluating out the theory that more business need to invest in cleaning up the electrical power grid so those dollars can be invested increasing the economies in Middle America where access to tidy energy is restricted. Clearloop is a cleantech startup that partners with companies of all sizes to assist them cut (or reclaim) their carbon footprint, tidy up the grid, and broaden access to tidy energy by constructing new solar tasks in American communities otherwise getting left behind. Were proving that you dont require to be a Fortune 500 business with the ability to sign a power purchase arrangement to assist construct brand name new solar jobs. Even big companies that have led the method in eco-friendly energy procurement are now faced with the reality that the most significant piece of their carbon footprint is in Scope 3, their worth chain, where they might have little control over decrease strategies or where reductions might not be immediate.

To learn more about Clearloop, check out https://clearloop.us/.
###.

Tell us about Clearloop?
Clearloop is a cleantech start-up that partners with companies of all sizes to help them cut (or recover) their carbon footprint, clean up the grid, and broaden access to tidy energy by constructing new solar tasks in American neighborhoods otherwise getting left behind. Were pioneering putting a carbon value on the construction of brand-new solar capability thats measured in watts, not watt-hours, with a new funding structure that enables a broader range of companies to get involved, while also being intentional about the neighborhoods where were investing to achieve a fair tidy energy future. We recently began on our very first utility-connected solar task in Jackson, Tennessee. As we grow, Clearloop will be focusing on Appalachia and the Mississippi Delta as we tackle both dirty grids and economically distressed neighborhoods with our solar tasks
.
What obstacles do you face? Why?
One of the biggest difficulties for us, as a reasonably new entrant in the clean energy and carbon markets, is earning credibility with industry leaders who may be used to doing things a particular way. Clearloop is challenging some of the traditional methods in which new solar developments have actually been funded, and bringing attention to new geographies and equity, to reinsert carbon emissions decreases into the business procurement conversation.

How can prospective partners do business with you?
Were proving that you do not require to be a Fortune 500 business with the capability to sign a power purchase contract to help develop brand name brand-new solar projects. Even huge companies that have led the way in sustainable energy procurement are now faced with the truth that the biggest chunk of their carbon footprint is in Scope 3, their value chain, where they might have little control over reduction techniques or where decreases may not be instant.