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

By Constance ThompsonSeptember 24, 2021

For more information about Clearloop, go to https://clearloop.us/.
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Clearloop began as a concept that changed into a company. In the early days– even prior to we had actually 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 invested enhancing 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 assist them cut (or reclaim) their carbon footprint, clean up the grid, and expand access to clean energy by developing brand-new solar jobs in American neighborhoods otherwise getting left behind. Were showing that you dont require to be a Fortune 500 business with the capability to sign a power purchase contract to help construct brand new solar tasks. Even huge companies that have actually led the way in eco-friendly 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 might have little control over reduction strategies or where decreases may not be immediate.

Inform us about Clearloop?
Clearloop is a cleantech startup that partners with business of all sizes to help them cut (or recover) their carbon footprint, tidy up the grid, and expand access to tidy energy by constructing brand-new solar tasks in American communities otherwise getting left. Were pioneering putting a carbon value on the construction of brand-new solar capacity thats measured 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 neighborhoods where were investing to attain an equitable tidy energy future. We recently began 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 take on both filthy grids and economically distressed neighborhoods with our solar jobs
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What difficulties do you face? Why?
One of the biggest difficulties for us, as a relatively brand-new entrant in the clean energy and carbon markets, is making reliability with market leaders who might be utilized to doing things a specific method. Clearloop is challenging some of the conventional methods in which brand-new solar developments have been financed, and bringing attention to brand-new locations and equity, to reinsert carbon emissions decreases into the corporate procurement conversation.

The American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) is happy to share the next installment in our “Accelerating Renewables” blog site series.
Each installment features industry leaders and topics associated with speeding up an equitable and simply transition to a sustainable energy economy. In recognition of National Hispanic Heritage Month, our September functions highlight how three Hispanic-owned Accelerate member business are growing in the renewable energy sector.
Today, we are featuring Clearloop, an Accelerate member business established by three Tennesseans who desire to make sure that the innovation and benefits of renewable resource reach all communities around our country similarly, starting with the neighborhoods that have a history of getting left. Click HERE to get 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 begin your business?
Clearloop started as a concept that changed into a business. In the early days– even prior to we had actually decided on the name– we were testing out the theory that more companies require to invest in cleaning up the electrical power grid so those dollars can be spent boosting the economies in Middle America where access to clean energy is limited.

How can prospective partners do company with you?
Were proving that you do not need to be a Fortune 500 company with the capability to sign a power purchase arrangement to assist build brand brand-new solar projects. Even big business that have led the method in renewable resource procurement are now confronted with the truth that the greatest portion of their carbon footprint is in Scope 3, their worth chain, where they might have little control over reduction techniques or where reductions may not be immediate. That is where Clearloop can be found in– were a brand-new tool for businesses big and little to take concrete climate action right now and help us decarbonize the grid in the locations that require it the many. We require more innovative ways to assist tackle the environment crisis in a manner that buys the places where that dollar creates more economic chance and social movement for the communities where were developing. Were firm followers that the ecological, health, and economic advantages of clean energy financial investments must reach all corners of our country and were looking for partners who are ready to take action
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