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

By Constance ThompsonSeptember 24, 2021

To get more information about Clearloop, see https://clearloop.us/.
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Clearloop began as an idea that morphed into a business. In the early days– even prior to 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 spent increasing the economies in Middle America where access to tidy energy is limited. Clearloop is a cleantech startup that partners with companies of all sizes to assist them cut (or recover) their carbon footprint, tidy up the grid, and expand access to clean energy by building new solar projects in American communities otherwise getting left behind. Were proving that you dont need to be a Fortune 500 company with the capability to sign a power purchase contract to assist build brand name brand-new solar tasks. Even big business that have led the way in eco-friendly energy procurement are now faced with the truth that the most significant portion of their carbon footprint is in Scope 3, their worth chain, where they might have little control over reduction methods or where reductions may not be immediate.

The American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) is delighted to share the next installation in our “Accelerating Renewables” blog site series.
Each installment includes industry leaders and subjects related to speeding up 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 flourishing in the eco-friendly energy sector.
Today, we are featuring Clearloop, an Accelerate member company founded by 3 Tennesseans who desire to make sure that the development and benefits of renewable resource reach all neighborhoods around our country equally, beginning with the neighborhoods that have a history of getting left. Click on this link to find out 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 began as a concept that changed into a company. In the early days– even before we had selected the name– we were testing out the theory that more companies need to purchase tidying up the electricity grid so those dollars can be invested enhancing the economies in Middle America where access to tidy energy is limited. For me, as one of 3 founders, this business was motivated by the desire to bring clearness to a big issue with a basic solution. We wanted companies to take climate action in the same community that invited my family as immigrants, and kept me going when things felt dark and the path was unclear
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Inform 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 clean energy by developing brand-new solar tasks in American communities otherwise getting left behind. As we grow, Clearloop will be focusing on Appalachia and the Mississippi Delta as we tackle both filthy grids and economically distressed neighborhoods with our solar tasks
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What difficulties do you deal with? Why?
Among the biggest difficulties for us, as a fairly brand-new entrant in the tidy energy and carbon markets, is earning trustworthiness with market leaders who may be utilized to doing things a certain way. Clearloop is challenging some of the traditional methods in which new solar developments have been funded, and bringing attention to brand-new geographies and equity, to reinsert carbon emissions decreases into the business procurement discussion. Im a true believer that our viewpoint from the middle of the country, and our lived experiences as creators from extremely various backgrounds, has brought into focus why we require more innovative services to assist tidy up the grid. Weve been motivated by business partners like Intuit and Vista Equity Partners, as well as brands like Dropps and Hello Bello, whove invested in recovering their carbon footprint by assisting us build our extremely first solar job. Weve likewise had the excellent fortune of discovering similar organizations like ACORE who acknowledge the worth of bringing diverse point of views to tidying up the grid and have actually built a program like Accelerate to guarantee we have a seat at the table
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How can prospective partners work with you?
Were showing that you dont need to be a Fortune 500 company with the capability to sign a power purchase arrangement to assist develop brand brand-new solar tasks. Even huge business that have 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 decrease methods or where reductions might not be immediate.