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

By Constance ThompsonSeptember 24, 2021

Tell us about Clearloop?
Clearloop is a cleantech start-up that partners with business of all sizes to help them cut (or recover) their carbon footprint, tidy up the grid, and broaden access to tidy energy by building brand-new solar jobs in American communities otherwise getting left behind. Were pioneering putting a carbon value on the building and construction of brand-new solar capacity thats determined in watts, not watt-hours, with a brand-new funding structure that allows a larger selection of business to get involved, while also being intentional about the communities where were investing to accomplish an equitable clean energy future. We recently began on our 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 filthy grids and financially distressed communities with our solar jobs
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What challenges do you face? Why?
One of the biggest challenges for us, as a fairly new entrant in the tidy energy and carbon markets, is making credibility with industry leaders who may be used 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 brand-new geographies and equity, to reinsert carbon emissions reductions into the corporate procurement conversation.

The American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) is pleased to share the next installment in our “Accelerating Renewables” blog site series.
Each installment features industry leaders and subjects related to accelerating a fair and just transition to a renewable resource economy. In acknowledgment of National Hispanic Heritage Month, our September features highlight how three Hispanic-owned Accelerate member companies are growing in the renewable resource sector.
Today, we are featuring Clearloop, an Accelerate member company established by 3 Tennesseans who wish to make certain that the innovation and advantages of renewable resource reach all communities around our nation similarly, starting with the neighborhoods that have a history of getting left behind. 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 start your company?
Clearloop began as an idea that morphed into a company. In the early days– even prior to we had picked the name– we were evaluating out the theory that more business need to invest in tidying up the electrical energy grid so those dollars can be spent increasing the economies in Middle America where access to clean energy is restricted. For me, as one of 3 creators, this company was motivated by the desire to bring clarity to a big issue with a simple service. We desired business to take climate action in the same neighborhood that welcomed my household 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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Clearloop began as an idea that morphed into a business. In the early days– even before we had actually decided 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 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, tidy up the grid, and broaden access to clean energy by constructing new solar jobs in American communities otherwise getting left behind. Were showing that you do not need to be a Fortune 500 business with the ability to sign a power purchase agreement to help build brand new solar projects. Even big companies that have actually led the way in sustainable energy procurement are now faced with the reality that the greatest portion of their carbon footprint is in Scope 3, their worth chain, where they may have little control over reduction strategies or where reductions may not be instant.

How can prospective partners do business with you?
Were showing that you do not require to be a Fortune 500 company with the capability to sign a power purchase agreement to assist construct brand brand-new solar projects. Even big business that have blazed a trail in sustainable energy procurement are now faced with the truth that the greatest portion of their carbon footprint remains in Scope 3, their worth chain, where they may have little control over decrease methods or where reductions may not be immediate. That is where Clearloop can be found in– were a new tool for organizations big and little to take tangible environment action today and assist us decarbonize the grid in the locations that require it one of the most. We require more imaginative ways to assist take on the environment crisis in such a way that purchases the places where that dollar develops more economic opportunity and social mobility for the communities where were constructing. Were firm followers that the environmental, health, and economic benefits of clean energy investments should reach all corners of our nation and were searching for partners who are all set to take action
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