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

By Constance ThompsonSeptember 24, 2021

To read more about Clearloop, visit https://clearloop.us/.
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Clearloop started as an idea 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 companies 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 tidy energy is restricted. Clearloop is a cleantech startup that partners with business of all sizes to help them cut (or reclaim) their carbon footprint, clean 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 do not need to be a Fortune 500 business with the capability to sign a power purchase arrangement to assist build brand brand-new solar jobs. Even huge companies that have led the way in sustainable energy procurement are now faced with the truth that the most significant portion of their carbon footprint is in Scope 3, their value chain, where they may have little control over decrease strategies or where decreases might not be instant.

Tell us about Clearloop?
Clearloop is a cleantech startup that partners with business of all sizes to assist them cut (or recover) their carbon footprint, tidy up the grid, and broaden access to tidy energy by developing brand-new solar jobs in American communities otherwise getting left. Were pioneering putting a carbon worth on the building of new solar capacity thats determined in watts, not watt-hours, with a new funding structure that enables a wider selection of companies to participate, while also being intentional about the communities where were investing to achieve an equitable clean energy future. We just recently broke ground on our very first utility-connected solar task in Jackson, Tennessee. As we grow, Clearloop will be concentrating on Appalachia and the Mississippi Delta as we tackle both dirty grids and financially distressed communities with our solar tasks
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What challenges do you face? Why?
One of the biggest challenges for us, as a reasonably new entrant in the tidy energy and carbon markets, is earning reliability with market leaders who might be used to doing things a particular way. Clearloop is challenging some of the conventional methods in which new solar developments have actually been funded, and bringing attention to new locations and equity, to reinsert carbon emissions reductions into the corporate procurement discussion.

The American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) is pleased to share the next installment in our “Accelerating Renewables” blog series.
Each installment features market leaders and topics associated with speeding up an equitable and simply shift to a sustainable energy economy. In acknowledgment of National Hispanic Heritage Month, our September features highlight how 3 Hispanic-owned Accelerate member companies are prospering in the eco-friendly energy sector.
Today, we are including Clearloop, an Accelerate member company founded by 3 Tennesseans who desire to ensure that the development and benefits of renewable resource reach all communities around our country equally, beginning with the communities that have a history of getting left. 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 begin your company?
Clearloop started as an idea that morphed into a company. In the early days– even before we had actually chosen on the name– we were testing out the theory that more business require to invest in cleaning up the electrical energy grid so those dollars can be invested enhancing the economies in Middle America where access to tidy energy is limited.

How can possible partners do service with you?
Were showing that you do not need to be a Fortune 500 company with the ability to sign a power purchase agreement to help build brand name new solar projects. Even big companies that have actually led the way in sustainable energy procurement are now faced with the truth that the most significant portion of their carbon footprint is in Scope 3, their value chain, where they might have little control over reduction strategies or where reductions may not be instant.