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 installation in our “Accelerating Renewables” blog series.
Each installment features market leaders and subjects related to speeding up an equitable and just shift to a renewable resource economy. In acknowledgment of National Hispanic Heritage Month, our September features highlight how 3 Hispanic-owned Accelerate member business are flourishing in the renewable resource sector.
Today, we are featuring Clearloop, an Accelerate member company founded by three Tennesseans who wish to make certain that the innovation and advantages of sustainable energy reach all neighborhoods around our country similarly, starting with the communities that have a history of getting left behind. Click on this link to find out 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
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What inspired you to start your company?
Clearloop began as a concept that changed into a company. In the early days– even prior to we had decided on the name– we were checking out the theory that more business require to invest in cleaning up the electrical energy grid so those dollars can be invested boosting the economies in Middle America where access to clean energy is restricted.

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, tidy up the grid, and expand access to tidy energy by developing brand-new solar jobs in American neighborhoods otherwise getting left behind. Were pioneering putting a carbon value on the building and construction of brand-new solar capability thats measured in watts, not watt-hours, with a new funding structure that allows a larger selection of business to participate, while likewise being intentional about the neighborhoods where were investing to achieve an equitable tidy energy future. We just recently began on our very first utility-connected solar project in Jackson, Tennessee. As we grow, Clearloop will be concentrating on Appalachia and the Mississippi Delta as we take on both unclean grids and financially distressed neighborhoods with our solar tasks
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What difficulties do you face? Why?
One of the biggest challenges for us, as a reasonably new entrant in the clean energy and carbon markets, is making reliability with market leaders who may be utilized to doing things a particular way. Clearloop is challenging some of the conventional methods in which new solar advancements have been financed, and accentuating brand-new locations and equity, to reinsert carbon emissions reductions into the corporate procurement discussion. Im a true believer that our perspective from the middle of the nation, and our lived experiences as creators from really various backgrounds, has actually brought into focus why we require more imaginative solutions to assist tidy up the grid. Weve been motivated by business partners like Intuit and Vista Equity Partners, as well as brand names like Dropps and Hello Bello, whove invested in reclaiming their carbon footprint by helping us develop our extremely first solar project. Weve also had the great fortune of finding like-minded organizations like ACORE who recognize the worth of bringing diverse point of views to cleaning up the grid and have really developed a program like Accelerate to ensure we have a seat at the table
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Clearloop began as a concept that morphed into a business. In the early days– even before we had actually chosen on the name– we were testing out the theory that more business need to invest in cleaning up the electrical power grid so those dollars can be spent enhancing the economies in Middle America where access to tidy energy is restricted. Clearloop is a cleantech start-up that partners with companies of all sizes to assist them cut (or reclaim) their carbon footprint, clean up the grid, and broaden access to clean energy by constructing brand-new solar jobs in American neighborhoods otherwise getting left behind. Were proving that you do not require to be a Fortune 500 business with the capability to sign a power purchase arrangement to assist construct brand name new solar tasks. Even big companies that have actually led the method in sustainable energy procurement are now faced with the reality that the greatest piece 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.

For more information about Clearloop, see https://clearloop.us/.
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How can possible partners do company with you?
Were showing that you dont need to be a Fortune 500 business with the capability to sign a power purchase arrangement to help build brand brand-new solar tasks. Even huge companies that have actually blazed a trail in renewable resource procurement are now faced with the reality that the most significant chunk of their carbon footprint is in Scope 3, their worth chain, where they may have little control over decrease techniques or where reductions may not be instant. That is where Clearloop is available in– were a new tool for services huge and little to take concrete climate action right now and help us decarbonize the grid in the places that require it one of the most. We need more creative methods to help tackle the environment crisis in such a way that purchases the places where that dollar develops more economic opportunity and social movement for the neighborhoods where were developing. Were firm followers that the environmental, health, and economic benefits of clean energy investments must reach all corners of our country and were trying to find partners who are ready to act
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