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

By Constance ThompsonSeptember 24, 2021

How can possible partners do business with you?
Were showing that you do not require to be a Fortune 500 company with the capability to sign a power purchase contract to assist develop brand brand-new solar jobs. Even big business that have actually led the way in renewable energy procurement are now confronted with the truth that the greatest portion of their carbon footprint remains in Scope 3, their worth chain, where they may have little control over decrease strategies or where reductions may not be instant. That is where Clearloop is available in– were a brand-new tool for services small and huge to take tangible climate action right now and help us decarbonize the grid in the places that need it one of the most. We need more creative ways to assist deal with the climate crisis in a method that buys the locations where that dollar produces more economic opportunity and social mobility for the neighborhoods where were constructing. Were firm followers that the environmental, health, and economic advantages of clean energy investments ought to reach all corners of our country and were searching for partners who are ready to take action
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Clearloop started as an idea that changed into a business. In the early days– even before we had actually chosen on the name– we were checking out the theory that more business need to invest in cleaning up the electrical power 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 assist them cut (or reclaim) their carbon footprint, clean up the grid, and broaden access to clean energy by developing new solar jobs in American communities otherwise getting left behind. Were proving that you do not need to be a Fortune 500 business with the capability to sign a power purchase arrangement to help develop brand name new solar tasks. Even huge business that have actually led the way in sustainable energy procurement are now faced with the truth that the biggest chunk of their carbon footprint is in Scope 3, their value chain, where they might have little control over decrease strategies or where reductions may not be instant.

Inform us about Clearloop?
Clearloop is a cleantech start-up that partners with business of all sizes to help them cut (or reclaim) their carbon footprint, clean up the grid, and expand access to tidy energy by building new solar tasks in American communities otherwise getting left behind. Were pioneering putting a carbon value on the building and construction of brand-new solar capability thats determined in watts, not watt-hours, with a brand-new funding structure that permits a larger variety of business to take part, while also being deliberate about the communities where were investing to attain a fair clean energy future. We recently broke ground on our very first utility-connected solar task in Jackson, Tennessee. As we grow, Clearloop will be focusing on Appalachia and the Mississippi Delta as we tackle both dirty grids and financially distressed neighborhoods with our solar jobs
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What challenges do you deal with? Why?
Among the greatest challenges for us, as a fairly brand-new entrant in the clean energy and carbon markets, is making reliability with industry leaders who may be utilized to doing things a particular method. Clearloop is challenging some of the traditional methods which brand-new solar developments have been funded, and bringing attention to brand-new geographies and equity, to reinsert carbon emissions reductions into the corporate procurement conversation. Im a true 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 innovative solutions to help clean up the grid. Weve been encouraged by business partners like Intuit and Vista Equity Partners, in addition to brands like Dropps and Hello Bello, whove invested in recovering their carbon footprint by helping us construct our very first solar job. Weve also had the great fortune of discovering similar companies like ACORE who recognize the worth of bringing varied point of views to cleaning up the grid and have in fact constructed a program like Accelerate to ensure we have a seat at the table
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To get more information about Clearloop, visit https://clearloop.us/.
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The American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) is happy to share the next installment in our “Accelerating Renewables” blog series.
Each installation includes market leaders and subjects associated with speeding up a fair and just transition to a renewable resource economy. In acknowledgment of National Hispanic Heritage Month, our September features highlight how three Hispanic-owned Accelerate member companies are prospering 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 innovation and advantages of eco-friendly energy reach all communities around our country equally, beginning with the communities that have a history of getting left. Click HERE to discover 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 before we had actually chosen the name– we were evaluating out the theory that more companies require to purchase 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. For me, as one of 3 founders, this business was inspired by the desire to bring clarity to a big issue with a simple option. We wanted business to take climate action in the very same community that welcomed my family as immigrants, and kept me going when things felt dark and the course was unclear
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