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

By Constance ThompsonSeptember 24, 2021

How can possible partners do organization with you?
Were showing that you do not require to be a Fortune 500 company with the capability to sign a power purchase contract to help develop brand name brand-new solar jobs. Even huge companies that have blazed a trail 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 may have little control over reduction strategies or where decreases may not be immediate. That is where Clearloop is available in– were a brand-new tool for businesses little and huge to take tangible climate action right now and help us decarbonize the grid in the places that need it the many. We need more creative methods to help take on the environment crisis in such a way that purchases the places where that dollar creates more economic opportunity and social movement for the neighborhoods where were constructing. Were firm followers that the environmental, health, and financial advantages of tidy energy financial investments ought to reach all corners of our nation and were looking for partners who are all set to take action
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Clearloop started as a concept that changed into a company. In the early days– even before we had actually chosen on the name– we were checking out the theory that more companies require 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 restricted. Clearloop is a cleantech start-up that partners with business of all sizes to help them cut (or reclaim) their carbon footprint, tidy up the grid, and expand access to clean energy by building brand-new solar tasks 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 contract to assist construct brand new solar jobs. Even huge business that have actually led the way in renewable 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 techniques or where decreases may not be immediate.

Inform us about Clearloop?
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 jobs in American communities otherwise getting left. 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 brand-new funding structure that allows a wider selection of business to get involved, while also being intentional about the neighborhoods where were investing to accomplish a fair 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 economically distressed communities with our solar projects
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What difficulties do you face? Why?
Among the most significant challenges for us, as a relatively brand-new entrant in the tidy energy and carbon markets, is earning reliability with industry leaders who may be utilized to doing things a particular way. Clearloop is challenging some of the standard methods in which brand-new solar developments have been financed, and bringing attention to new locations and equity, to reinsert carbon emissions decreases into the business procurement conversation. Im a true follower that our perspective from the middle of the nation, and our lived experiences as founders from extremely various backgrounds, has actually brought into focus why we require more innovative options to assist clean up the grid. Weve been motivated by corporate partners like Intuit and Vista Equity Partners, along with brands like Dropps and Hello Bello, whove invested in recovering their carbon footprint by helping us construct our really first solar job. Weve likewise had the terrific fortune of discovering similar companies like ACORE who recognize the value of bringing diverse point of views to tidying up the grid and have actually built a program like Accelerate to guarantee we have a seat at the table
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For more information about Clearloop, see https://clearloop.us/.
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The American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) is pleased to share the next installation in our “Accelerating Renewables” blog series.
Each installment includes industry leaders and topics associated with accelerating a fair and just transition to a renewable resource economy. In acknowledgment of National Hispanic Heritage Month, our September features highlight how 3 Hispanic-owned Accelerate member business are thriving in the renewable energy sector.
Today, we are featuring Clearloop, an Accelerate member business established by three Tennesseans who wish to ensure that the development and advantages of sustainable energy reach all neighborhoods around our nation similarly, starting with the neighborhoods that have a history of getting left behind. Click on this link to learn 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 begin your company?
Clearloop began as an idea that morphed into a business. In the early days– even before we had chosen on the name– we were evaluating out the theory that more business require to invest in cleaning up the electrical energy grid so those dollars can be spent increasing the economies in Middle America where access to clean energy is limited.