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

By Constance ThompsonSeptember 24, 2021

To find out more about Clearloop, check out https://clearloop.us/.
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Clearloop started as a concept that morphed into a business. In the early days– even before we had decided 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 invested increasing the economies in Middle America where access to clean energy is restricted. Clearloop is a cleantech startup that partners with companies of all sizes to assist them cut (or recover) their carbon footprint, tidy up the grid, and broaden access to tidy 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 ability to sign a power purchase agreement to help construct brand name brand-new solar projects. Even big companies that have actually 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 might have little control over decrease techniques or where decreases might not be immediate.

The American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) is happy to share the next installation in our “Accelerating Renewables” blog series.
Each installation features industry leaders and topics related to accelerating an equitable and simply shift to a renewable resource economy. In recognition of National Hispanic Heritage Month, our September functions highlight how 3 Hispanic-owned Accelerate member companies are flourishing in the renewable resource sector.
Today, we are featuring Clearloop, an Accelerate member business established by three Tennesseans who wish to ensure that the innovation and advantages of renewable resource reach all communities around our nation equally, beginning with the neighborhoods that have a history of getting left. Click on this link 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 start your company?
Clearloop began as a concept that morphed into a business. In the early days– even prior to we had actually selected the name– we were checking out the theory that more business need to purchase tidying up the electrical energy grid so those dollars can be spent boosting the economies in Middle America where access to clean energy is limited. For me, as one of 3 founders, this company was inspired by the desire to bring clearness to a big problem with a simple solution. We desired companies to take climate action in the exact same community that welcomed my household as immigrants, and kept me going when things felt dark and the course was uncertain
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Tell us about Clearloop?
Clearloop is a cleantech start-up that partners with companies of all sizes to help them cut (or recover) their carbon footprint, clean up the grid, and broaden access to tidy energy by constructing brand-new solar projects in American communities 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 enables a wider array of business to take part, while also being intentional about the communities where were investing to attain a fair tidy energy future. We just recently broke ground 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 financially distressed communities with our solar projects
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What challenges do you deal with? Why?
One of the biggest difficulties for us, as a relatively new entrant in the clean energy and carbon markets, is making reliability with market leaders who may be utilized to doing things a specific way. Clearloop is challenging some of the traditional methods in which new solar advancements have actually been financed, and bringing attention to new locations and equity, to reinsert carbon emissions reductions into the corporate procurement discussion.

How can prospective partners do service with you?
Were proving that you do not need to be a Fortune 500 company with the ability to sign a power purchase agreement to help develop brand brand-new solar projects. Even huge companies that have actually led the way in sustainable energy procurement are now faced with the truth that the biggest portion of their carbon footprint is in Scope 3, their worth chain, where they might have little control over reduction methods or where reductions may not be immediate.