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 happy to share the next installment in our “Accelerating Renewables” blog series.
Each installation includes industry leaders and subjects related to accelerating a fair and just transition to a renewable resource economy. In recognition of National Hispanic Heritage Month, our September features highlight how 3 Hispanic-owned Accelerate member companies are thriving in the renewable resource sector.
Today, we are including Clearloop, an Accelerate member business established by 3 Tennesseans who want to make sure that the development and advantages of renewable resource reach all neighborhoods around our country similarly, starting with the communities that have a history of getting left. Click HERE to learn 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 start your business?
Clearloop began as a concept that morphed into a business. In the early days– even before we had chosen on the name– we were testing out the theory that more companies need to invest in cleaning up the electrical power grid so those dollars can be invested enhancing the economies in Middle America where access to clean energy is restricted.

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

Inform 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 clean energy by developing brand-new solar tasks in American neighborhoods otherwise getting left. Were pioneering putting a carbon worth on the construction of brand-new solar capacity thats determined in watts, not watt-hours, with a new funding structure that permits a larger variety of companies to get involved, while also being intentional about the communities where were investing to achieve an equitable tidy energy future. We recently began 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 unclean grids and financially distressed neighborhoods with our solar tasks
.
What challenges do you deal with? Why?
One of the biggest obstacles for us, as a reasonably new entrant in the clean energy and carbon markets, is earning trustworthiness with industry leaders who might be utilized to doing things a particular method. Clearloop is challenging a few of the conventional ways in which brand-new solar developments have actually been financed, and bringing attention to new locations and equity, to reinsert carbon emissions decreases into the corporate procurement discussion. Im a true believer that our viewpoint from the middle of the country, and our lived experiences as founders from extremely various backgrounds, has actually brought into focus why we require more creative options to assist clean up the grid. Weve been motivated by corporate partners like Intuit and Vista Equity Partners, as well as brands like Dropps and Hello Bello, whove bought recovering their carbon footprint by assisting us construct our extremely first solar job. Weve also had the fantastic fortune of finding similar companies like ACORE who recognize the value of bringing varied perspectives to tidying up the grid and have really developed a program like Accelerate to ensure we have a seat at the table
.

Clearloop began as an idea that morphed into a company. In the early days– even before we had actually chosen on the name– we were checking out the theory that more business require to invest in cleaning up the electricity grid so those dollars can be invested enhancing the economies in Middle America where access to clean energy is limited. Clearloop is a cleantech startup that partners with companies of all sizes to assist them cut (or recover) their carbon footprint, clean up the grid, and broaden access to tidy energy by developing brand-new solar tasks in American neighborhoods otherwise getting left behind. Were proving that you dont require to be a Fortune 500 business with the ability to sign a power purchase contract to help develop brand name brand-new solar tasks. Even big business that have actually led the method in eco-friendly energy procurement are now faced with the truth that the greatest portion of their carbon footprint is in Scope 3, their value chain, where they may have little control over reduction methods or where reductions may not be instant.

How can prospective partners work with you?
Were showing that you dont need to be a Fortune 500 business with the ability to sign a power purchase agreement to assist construct brand name brand-new solar projects. Even huge companies that have actually blazed a trail in renewable resource 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 decrease methods or where reductions may not be immediate. That is where Clearloop comes in– were a new tool for companies huge and little to take concrete climate action today and help us decarbonize the grid in the places that need it the a lot of. We need more creative ways to help tackle the environment crisis in a manner that buys the locations where that dollar creates more financial opportunity and social mobility for the neighborhoods where were building. Were firm followers that the environmental, health, and economic benefits of clean energy financial investments need to reach all corners of our country and were looking for partners who are all set to act
.