Renewable Power Perspectives Q&A with Laura Zapata, Co-Founder of Clearloop
By Constance ThompsonSeptember 24, 2021
How can potential partners do service with you?
Were showing that you do not need to be a Fortune 500 company with the ability to sign a power purchase agreement to assist develop brand name new solar tasks. Even huge companies that have blazed a trail in renewable energy procurement are now faced with the reality that the biggest chunk of their carbon footprint remains in Scope 3, their value chain, where they might have little control over decrease techniques or where decreases might not be immediate. That is where Clearloop can be found in– were a brand-new tool for companies big and small to take tangible environment action today and help us decarbonize the grid in the places that need it the many. We require more creative methods to assist deal with the environment crisis in such a way that invests in the places where that dollar creates more financial chance and social movement for the communities where were building. Were firm believers that the environmental, health, and economic benefits of clean energy financial investments ought to reach all corners of our country and were looking for partners who are all set to do something about it
.
The American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) is happy to share the next installment in our “Accelerating Renewables” blog site series.
Each installation includes market leaders and topics associated with speeding up a fair and simply shift to a renewable resource economy. In recognition of National Hispanic Heritage Month, our September functions highlight how three Hispanic-owned Accelerate member companies are prospering in the eco-friendly energy sector.
Today, we are featuring Clearloop, an Accelerate member company established by 3 Tennesseans who want to ensure that the innovation and advantages of eco-friendly energy reach all neighborhoods around our nation similarly, beginning with the neighborhoods that have a history of getting left behind. Click HERE to read 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
.
What inspired you to begin your company?
Clearloop began as an idea that changed into a company. In the early days– even before we had selected the name– we were evaluating out the theory that more companies need to invest in cleaning up the electrical power grid so those dollars can be invested boosting the economies in Middle America where access to clean energy is limited. For me, as one of three founders, this business was influenced by the desire to bring clearness to a large issue with a basic solution. We desired business to take climate action in the very same community that invited my household as immigrants, and kept me going when things felt dark and the path was unclear
.
Inform us about Clearloop?
Clearloop is a cleantech startup that partners with business of all sizes to help them cut (or recover) their carbon footprint, tidy up the grid, and broaden access to tidy energy by building new solar projects in American communities otherwise getting left. Were pioneering putting a carbon value on the construction of new solar capacity thats determined in watts, not watt-hours, with a new financing structure that enables a larger range of business to take part, while also being intentional about the neighborhoods where were investing to attain an equitable clean energy future. We recently began on our very first utility-connected solar project in Jackson, Tennessee. As we grow, Clearloop will be focusing on Appalachia and the Mississippi Delta as we take on both dirty grids and economically distressed neighborhoods with our solar jobs
.
What obstacles do you deal with? Why?
Among the most significant obstacles for us, as a fairly new entrant in the tidy energy and carbon markets, is earning credibility with industry leaders who may be used to doing things a particular way. Clearloop is challenging some of the standard methods which brand-new solar developments have been financed, and bringing attention to new locations and equity, to reinsert carbon emissions reductions into the corporate procurement conversation. Im a true follower that our perspective from the middle of the nation, and our lived experiences as founders from very various backgrounds, has actually brought into focus why we need more imaginative options to help tidy up the grid. Weve been motivated by corporate partners like Intuit and Vista Equity Partners, along with brand names like Dropps and Hello Bello, whove invested in recovering their carbon footprint by assisting us build our very first solar task. Weve also had the terrific fortune of discovering similar companies like ACORE who acknowledge the value of bringing diverse viewpoints to tidying up the grid and have in fact developed a program like Accelerate to guarantee we have a seat at the table
.
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 evaluating out the theory that more business require to invest in cleaning up the electricity grid so those dollars can be invested increasing the economies in Middle America where access to tidy energy is limited. 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 broaden access to clean energy by developing brand-new solar projects in American communities otherwise getting left behind. Were proving that you do not need to be a Fortune 500 company with the ability to sign a power purchase contract to help construct brand name new solar jobs. Even huge business that have actually led the way in sustainable energy procurement are now faced with the reality 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 decreases may not be immediate.
To read more about Clearloop, visit https://clearloop.us/.
###.