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 before we had decided on the name– we were testing out the theory that more business need to invest in cleaning up the electricity grid so those dollars can be spent boosting the economies in Middle America where access to tidy energy is limited. Clearloop is a cleantech startup that partners with business of all sizes to assist them cut (or reclaim) their carbon footprint, clean up the grid, and broaden access to clean energy by building new solar jobs in American neighborhoods otherwise getting left behind. Were proving that you dont need to be a Fortune 500 company with the capability to sign a power purchase arrangement to help develop brand new solar jobs. Even huge companies that have led the method in eco-friendly energy procurement are now faced with the truth that the biggest piece of their carbon footprint is in Scope 3, their value chain, where they might have little control over decrease strategies or where decreases may not be immediate.

The American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) is happy to share the next installment in our “Accelerating Renewables” blog site series.
Each installment includes market leaders and topics associated with accelerating an equitable and simply transition to a sustainable energy economy. In acknowledgment 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 featuring Clearloop, an Accelerate member company founded by three Tennesseans who desire to make sure that the development and advantages of eco-friendly energy reach all communities around our nation similarly, starting with the neighborhoods that have a history of getting left. 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
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What inspired you to begin your business?
Clearloop started as a concept that morphed into a business. In the early days– even before we had actually picked the name– we were evaluating out the theory that more business need to invest in tidying up the electrical power grid so those dollars can be spent increasing the economies in Middle America where access to tidy energy is restricted. For me, as one of three creators, this company was inspired by the desire to bring clearness to a big issue with an easy service. We desired companies to take environment action in the exact same neighborhood that welcomed my family as immigrants, and kept me going when things felt dark and the path was uncertain
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For more information about Clearloop, see https://clearloop.us/.
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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 constructing brand-new solar jobs in American communities otherwise getting left. Were pioneering putting a carbon value on the building of new solar capability thats determined in watts, not watt-hours, with a brand-new financing structure that allows a wider selection of companies to participate, while likewise being intentional about the neighborhoods where were investing to accomplish an equitable tidy energy future. We recently began on our first utility-connected solar project in Jackson, Tennessee. As we grow, Clearloop will be focusing on Appalachia and the Mississippi Delta as we tackle both dirty grids and financially distressed neighborhoods with our solar jobs
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What challenges do you face? Why?
One of the biggest challenges for us, as a reasonably brand-new entrant in the clean energy and carbon markets, is earning reliability with industry leaders who might be used to doing things a specific way. Clearloop is challenging some of the conventional ways in which brand-new solar developments have actually been financed, and accentuating brand-new locations and equity, to reinsert carbon emissions reductions into the corporate procurement conversation. Im a real follower that our viewpoint from the middle of the nation, and our lived experiences as creators from extremely different backgrounds, has brought into focus why we need more creative solutions to help tidy up the grid. Weve been motivated by corporate partners like Intuit and Vista Equity Partners, as well as brand names like Dropps and Hello Bello, whove purchased recovering their carbon footprint by assisting us build our extremely first solar task. Weve also had the fantastic fortune of discovering similar companies like ACORE who acknowledge the worth of bringing varied point of views to cleaning up the grid and have really constructed a program like Accelerate to guarantee we have a seat at the table
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How can potential partners do business with you?
Were showing that you dont require to be a Fortune 500 business with the ability to sign a power purchase contract to assist construct brand brand-new solar tasks. Even big companies that have led the way in renewable resource procurement are now confronted with the reality that the biggest portion of their carbon footprint remains in Scope 3, their value chain, where they might have little control over decrease strategies or where reductions might not be immediate. That is where Clearloop is available in– were a new tool for companies big and little to take tangible environment action today and help us decarbonize the grid in the locations that need it the a lot of. We need more creative ways to help take on the climate crisis in a manner that invests in the places where that dollar produces more economic chance and social mobility for the communities where were constructing. Were firm believers that the ecological, health, and economic advantages of clean energy investments should reach all corners of our country and were looking for partners who are all set to act
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