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

By Constance ThompsonSeptember 24, 2021

For more information about Clearloop, check out https://clearloop.us/.
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The American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) is delighted to share the next installation in our “Accelerating Renewables” blog site series.
Each installment includes market leaders and topics related to accelerating an equitable and just transition to a renewable resource economy. In acknowledgment of National Hispanic Heritage Month, our September functions highlight how three Hispanic-owned Accelerate member companies are flourishing in the sustainable energy sector.
Today, we are including Clearloop, an Accelerate member business founded by three Tennesseans who wish to ensure that the development and benefits of renewable energy reach all neighborhoods around our country similarly, beginning with the neighborhoods that have a history of getting left behind. Click HERE for more information 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 changed into a business. In the early days– even prior to we had actually chosen the name– we were evaluating out the theory that more companies require to purchase cleaning up the electrical energy grid so those dollars can be invested enhancing the economies in Middle America where access to clean energy is limited. For me, as one of three founders, this business was motivated by the desire to bring clearness to a big issue with a basic option. 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 unclear
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Clearloop started as a concept that morphed into a company. In the early days– even prior to we had actually chosen on the name– we were testing 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 limited. Clearloop is a cleantech start-up that partners with companies of all sizes to help them cut (or reclaim) their carbon footprint, tidy up the grid, and broaden access to clean energy by constructing brand-new solar projects in American communities otherwise getting left behind. Were showing that you dont need to be a Fortune 500 company with the capability to sign a power purchase agreement to assist build brand new solar jobs. Even huge business that have actually led the method in renewable energy procurement are now faced with the reality that the greatest portion of their carbon footprint is in Scope 3, their value chain, where they might have little control over reduction techniques or where reductions may not be immediate.

How can potential partners work with you?
Were proving that you dont need to be a Fortune 500 company with the capability to sign a power purchase contract to help build brand new solar projects. Even huge companies that have led the way in renewable energy procurement are now faced with the truth that the most significant chunk of their carbon footprint is in Scope 3, their worth chain, where they might have little control over reduction strategies or where reductions might not be instant.

Tell us about Clearloop?
Clearloop is a cleantech start-up 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 constructing new solar jobs in American neighborhoods otherwise getting left. Were pioneering putting a carbon worth on the building of new solar capacity thats measured in watts, not watt-hours, with a new financing structure that enables a wider selection of companies to take part, while also being deliberate about the neighborhoods where were investing to accomplish an equitable tidy energy future. We recently began on our very first utility-connected solar job in Jackson, Tennessee. As we grow, Clearloop will be focusing on Appalachia and the Mississippi Delta as we take on both filthy grids and economically distressed communities with our solar projects
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What difficulties do you face? Why?
One of the biggest challenges for us, as a relatively new entrant in the tidy energy and carbon markets, is earning credibility with market leaders who might be utilized to doing things a particular method. Clearloop is challenging some of the conventional methods in which new solar advancements have actually been financed, and bringing attention to brand-new geographies and equity, to reinsert carbon emissions reductions into the corporate procurement conversation.