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

By Constance ThompsonSeptember 24, 2021

How can potential partners work with you?
Were showing that you do not require to be a Fortune 500 company with the ability to sign a power purchase arrangement to help construct brand brand-new solar tasks. Even huge business that have led the way in sustainable energy procurement are now faced with the reality that the greatest piece of their carbon footprint is in Scope 3, their value chain, where they may have little control over reduction strategies or where decreases may not be instant.

Inform us about Clearloop?
Clearloop is a cleantech startup that partners with companies of all sizes to assist them cut (or reclaim) their carbon footprint, tidy up the grid, and broaden access to tidy energy by constructing 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 capability thats measured in watts, not watt-hours, with a new funding structure that enables a wider variety of companies to get involved, while likewise being deliberate about the communities where were investing to accomplish an equitable clean energy future. We recently broke ground 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 deal with both dirty grids and economically distressed neighborhoods with our solar tasks
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What challenges do you deal with? Why?
One of the greatest obstacles for us, as a fairly brand-new entrant in the clean energy and carbon markets, is earning credibility with industry leaders who might be used to doing things a particular method. Clearloop is challenging some of the conventional methods in which brand-new solar developments have actually been funded, and bringing attention to brand-new locations and equity, to reinsert carbon emissions decreases into the business procurement discussion.

Clearloop started as a concept that morphed into a company. In the early days– even before 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 improving the economies in Middle America where access to clean energy is limited. Clearloop is a cleantech startup that partners with companies of all sizes to help them cut (or reclaim) their carbon footprint, tidy up the grid, and broaden access to tidy energy by building new solar projects 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 construct brand name brand-new solar projects. Even huge companies that have actually led the method in eco-friendly energy procurement are now faced with the reality that the biggest piece of their carbon footprint is in Scope 3, their value 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 series.
Each installation features market leaders and subjects related to accelerating an equitable and just transition to a renewable resource economy. In recognition of National Hispanic Heritage Month, our September functions highlight how three Hispanic-owned Accelerate member business are prospering in the renewable resource sector.
Today, we are featuring Clearloop, an Accelerate member business founded by three Tennesseans who wish to make sure that the innovation and advantages of eco-friendly energy reach all communities around our nation similarly, starting with the neighborhoods that have a history of getting left behind. Click HERE to read 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 business?
Clearloop started as a concept that morphed into a business. In the early days– even prior to we had selected the name– we were checking out the theory that more business 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 restricted. For me, as one of three creators, this business was influenced by the desire to bring clarity to a big issue with a basic option. We wanted business to take climate action in the exact same community that invited my household as immigrants, and kept me going when things felt dark and the path was unclear
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For more information about Clearloop, go to https://clearloop.us/.
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