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

By Constance ThompsonSeptember 24, 2021

Clearloop began as a concept that morphed into a company. In the early days– even prior to we had chosen on the name– we were checking 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 clean energy is restricted. 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 expand access to tidy energy by building new solar jobs in American neighborhoods otherwise getting left behind. Were showing that you do not require to be a Fortune 500 business with the ability to sign a power purchase contract to assist construct brand new solar projects. Even huge companies that have actually 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 may have little control over reduction methods or where reductions may not be immediate.

The American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) is happy to share the next installation in our “Accelerating Renewables” blog series.
Each installation features market leaders and subjects associated with accelerating an equitable and simply shift to a renewable energy economy. In acknowledgment of National Hispanic Heritage Month, our September functions highlight how 3 Hispanic-owned Accelerate member business are prospering in the sustainable energy sector.
Today, we are featuring Clearloop, an Accelerate member business founded by three Tennesseans who desire to make certain that the innovation and advantages of sustainable energy reach all communities around our nation similarly, starting with the neighborhoods that have a history of getting left. Click HERE 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 started as a concept that changed into a business. In the early days– even before we had actually decided on the name– we were evaluating out the theory that more companies require to purchase cleaning up the electrical energy grid so those dollars can be spent boosting the economies in Middle America where access to clean energy is limited. For me, as one of three founders, this business was inspired by the desire to bring clarity to a large problem with a basic option. We wanted business to take environment action in the very same neighborhood that invited my family as immigrants, and kept me going when things felt dark and the path was unclear
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Tell us about Clearloop?
Clearloop is a cleantech start-up that partners with business of all sizes to assist them cut (or reclaim) their carbon footprint, tidy up the grid, and broaden access to tidy energy by building brand-new solar projects in American communities otherwise getting left. Were pioneering putting a carbon value on the building and construction of brand-new solar capacity thats measured in watts, not watt-hours, with a new funding structure that allows a larger array of companies to take part, while also being intentional about the neighborhoods where were investing to achieve a fair clean 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 deal with both filthy grids and economically distressed neighborhoods with our solar tasks
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What challenges do you face? Why?
One of the greatest obstacles for us, as a reasonably new entrant in the clean energy and carbon markets, is making reliability with industry leaders who may be utilized to doing things a certain method. Clearloop is challenging some of the conventional methods in which brand-new solar developments have been financed, and bringing attention to new locations and equity, to reinsert carbon emissions decreases into the business procurement discussion.

To find out more about Clearloop, see https://clearloop.us/.
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How can prospective partners work with you?
Were proving that you do not require to be a Fortune 500 business with the ability to sign a power purchase contract to assist build brand name new solar projects. Even huge business that have actually led the method in renewable resource procurement are now faced with the reality that the greatest chunk of their carbon footprint remains in Scope 3, their value chain, where they might have little control over reduction techniques or where reductions may not be instant. That is where Clearloop comes in– were a brand-new tool for businesses big and small to take concrete environment action right now and assist us decarbonize the grid in the locations that need it one of the most. We require more creative methods to assist deal with the environment crisis in a method that purchases the places where that dollar develops more financial chance and social movement for the communities where were constructing. Were firm followers that the environmental, health, and economic advantages of clean energy investments must reach all corners of our nation and were trying to find partners who are prepared to do something about it
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