Renewable Power Perspectives Q&A with Laura Zapata, Co-Founder of Clearloop
By Constance ThompsonSeptember 24, 2021
Inform us about Clearloop?
Clearloop is a cleantech start-up that partners with companies 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 jobs in American neighborhoods otherwise getting left behind. 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 larger variety of business to take part, while likewise being deliberate about the neighborhoods where were investing to accomplish a fair clean energy future. We recently began on our first utility-connected solar job in Jackson, Tennessee. As we grow, Clearloop will be concentrating on Appalachia and the Mississippi Delta as we tackle both filthy grids and economically distressed neighborhoods with our solar projects
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What obstacles do you face? Why?
One of the most significant obstacles for us, as a fairly brand-new entrant in the clean energy and carbon markets, is earning credibility with market leaders who may be utilized to doing things a particular way. Clearloop is challenging a few of the traditional ways in which new solar developments have actually been financed, and accentuating brand-new locations and equity, to reinsert carbon emissions reductions into the business procurement discussion. Im a real believer that our vantage point from the middle of the nation, and our lived experiences as creators from extremely various backgrounds, has actually brought into focus why we require more creative options to help clean up the grid. Weve been motivated by corporate partners like Intuit and Vista Equity Partners, in addition to brands like Dropps and Hello Bello, whove purchased recovering their carbon footprint by assisting us construct our extremely first solar job. Weve also had the fantastic fortune of finding like-minded organizations like ACORE who recognize the worth of bringing varied point of views to tidying up the grid and have actually constructed a program like Accelerate to ensure we have a seat at the table
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To find out more about Clearloop, visit https://clearloop.us/.
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How can potential partners work with you?
Were showing that you do not require to be a Fortune 500 business with the ability to sign a power purchase agreement to help build brand brand-new solar jobs. Even huge business that have led the method in sustainable energy procurement are now faced with the reality that the most significant portion of their carbon footprint is in Scope 3, their value chain, where they might have little control over decrease methods or where decreases may not be instant.
The American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) is pleased to share the next installment in our “Accelerating Renewables” blog series.
Each installation includes market leaders and subjects related to accelerating an equitable and simply transition to a renewable resource economy. In acknowledgment of National Hispanic Heritage Month, our September features highlight how three Hispanic-owned Accelerate member business are thriving in the renewable energy sector.
Today, we are including Clearloop, an Accelerate member company established by 3 Tennesseans who wish to make sure that the development and advantages of sustainable energy reach all neighborhoods around our nation similarly, starting with the communities that have a history of getting left behind. Click on this link to find out 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 start your company?
Clearloop began as a concept that changed into a company. In the early days– even before we had decided on 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 enhancing the economies in Middle America where access to tidy energy is limited.
Clearloop began 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 increasing 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 assist them cut (or recover) their carbon footprint, clean up the grid, and expand access to clean energy by developing brand-new solar tasks in American neighborhoods otherwise getting left behind. Were proving that you dont require to be a Fortune 500 company with the capability to sign a power purchase contract to help build brand name brand-new solar jobs. Even big business that have actually led the method in renewable energy procurement are now faced with the truth that the most significant portion of their carbon footprint is in Scope 3, their value chain, where they might have little control over decrease strategies or where decreases may not be immediate.