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

By Constance ThompsonSeptember 24, 2021

To find out more 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 site series.
Each installment features industry leaders and topics connected to accelerating an equitable and simply shift to a renewable resource economy. In recognition of National Hispanic Heritage Month, our September features highlight how 3 Hispanic-owned Accelerate member companies are thriving in the eco-friendly energy sector.
Today, we are including Clearloop, an Accelerate member business founded by three Tennesseans who wish to make sure that the development and advantages of renewable energy reach all neighborhoods around our country similarly, starting with the neighborhoods that have a history of getting left behind. Click on this link to learn 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 start your business?
Clearloop started as an idea 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 companies need to invest in cleaning up the electrical energy grid so those dollars can be spent enhancing the economies in Middle America where access to clean energy is limited.

Clearloop began as an idea 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 business require to invest in cleaning up the electrical power grid so those dollars can be spent improving the economies in Middle America where access to clean energy is restricted. Clearloop is a cleantech startup that partners with business of all sizes to assist them cut (or recover) their carbon footprint, tidy up the grid, and expand access to tidy energy by building new solar projects in American neighborhoods otherwise getting left behind. Were proving that you do not require to be a Fortune 500 business with the ability to sign a power purchase contract to assist develop brand name brand-new solar projects. Even huge business that have actually led the method in sustainable energy procurement are now faced with the reality that the most significant chunk of their carbon footprint is in Scope 3, their value chain, where they might have little control over decrease strategies or where decreases might not be instant.

Inform us about Clearloop?
Clearloop is a cleantech start-up that partners with business of all sizes to assist them cut (or recover) their carbon footprint, clean up the grid, and expand access to clean energy by developing brand-new solar projects in American neighborhoods otherwise getting left behind. As we grow, Clearloop will be focusing on Appalachia and the Mississippi Delta as we take on both unclean grids and financially distressed communities with our solar jobs
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What challenges do you deal with? Why?
Among the biggest difficulties for us, as a reasonably brand-new entrant in the clean energy and carbon markets, is earning credibility with market leaders who may be utilized to doing things a specific method. Clearloop is challenging some of the traditional methods which brand-new solar advancements have actually been financed, and accentuating brand-new geographies and equity, to reinsert carbon emissions decreases into the corporate procurement conversation. Im a real follower that our vantage point from the middle of the country, and our lived experiences as creators from extremely various backgrounds, has actually brought into focus why we require more creative options to assist clean up the grid. Weve been encouraged by business partners like Intuit and Vista Equity Partners, as well as brands like Dropps and Hello Bello, whove purchased reclaiming their carbon footprint by assisting us construct our really first solar job. Weve likewise had the great fortune of finding like-minded companies like ACORE who acknowledge the worth of bringing diverse point of views to tidying up the grid and have in fact constructed a program like Accelerate to guarantee we have a seat at the table
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How can possible partners work with you?
Were showing that you dont need to be a Fortune 500 company with the ability to sign a power purchase contract to help develop brand name brand-new solar projects. Even big companies that have led the way in eco-friendly energy procurement are now faced with the truth that the biggest chunk of their carbon footprint is in Scope 3, their worth chain, where they might have little control over decrease strategies or where decreases might not be instant.