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

By Constance ThompsonSeptember 24, 2021

The American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) is pleased to share the next installation in our “Accelerating Renewables” blog site series.
Each installment features market leaders and subjects associated with speeding up a fair 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 companies are thriving in the renewable resource sector.
Today, we are including Clearloop, an Accelerate member business established by three Tennesseans who want to make sure that the development and benefits of eco-friendly energy reach all communities around our country equally, beginning with the neighborhoods that have a history of getting left. Click HERE to read more about Clearloops effect.
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 an idea that changed into a business. In the early days– even prior to we had actually picked the name– we were testing out the theory that more business need to invest in cleaning up the electricity grid so those dollars can be invested boosting the economies in Middle America where access to tidy energy is restricted. For me, as one of 3 creators, this business was motivated by the desire to bring clearness to a large issue with an easy solution. We wanted business to take climate action in the same community that invited my family as immigrants, and kept me going when things felt dark and the course was unclear
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Clearloop began as an idea that changed into a company. In the early days– even before we had chosen on the name– we were checking out the theory that more business need to invest in cleaning up the electrical energy grid so those dollars can be spent boosting 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 expand access to clean energy by building brand-new solar projects in American neighborhoods otherwise getting left behind. Were showing that you dont need to be a Fortune 500 business with the capability to sign a power purchase arrangement to help develop brand name new solar jobs. Even big business that have led the way in renewable energy procurement are now faced with the truth 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 might not be immediate.

How can possible partners do business with you?
Were showing that you do not need to be a Fortune 500 business with the ability to sign a power purchase agreement to help develop brand new solar tasks. Even big companies 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 may have little control over reduction methods or where reductions might not be immediate.

To find out more about Clearloop, check out https://clearloop.us/.
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Tell us about Clearloop?
Clearloop is a cleantech startup that partners with companies of all sizes to help them cut (or recover) their carbon footprint, tidy up the grid, and expand access to tidy energy by building new solar tasks in American neighborhoods otherwise getting left. Were pioneering putting a carbon value on the building and construction of brand-new solar capacity thats measured in watts, not watt-hours, with a brand-new funding structure that permits a larger array of companies to get involved, while also being intentional about the communities where were investing to attain a fair clean energy future. We recently broke ground on our 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 projects
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What difficulties do you face? Why?
One of the most significant difficulties for us, as a relatively brand-new entrant in the tidy energy and carbon markets, is making credibility with market leaders who may be utilized to doing things a specific method. Clearloop is challenging some of the traditional ways in which new solar advancements have actually been financed, and bringing attention to brand-new locations and equity, to reinsert carbon emissions reductions into the corporate procurement conversation.