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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Tell us about Clearloop?
Clearloop is a cleantech startup that partners with companies of all sizes to help them cut (or reclaim) their carbon footprint, clean up the grid, and broaden access to clean energy by building brand-new solar projects in American communities otherwise getting left. Were pioneering putting a carbon value on the building of brand-new solar capacity thats measured in watts, not watt-hours, with a brand-new financing structure that permits a larger selection of business to get involved, while also being intentional about the communities where were investing to accomplish an equitable clean energy future. We recently broke ground on our 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 communities with our solar projects
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What challenges do you face? Why?
One of the most significant difficulties for us, as a reasonably brand-new entrant in the clean energy and carbon markets, is earning credibility with industry leaders who may be utilized to doing things a certain way. Clearloop is challenging some of the standard ways in which brand-new solar advancements have actually been financed, and bringing attention to brand-new locations and equity, to reinsert carbon emissions reductions into the corporate procurement discussion.

Clearloop started as an idea that morphed into a company. In the early days– even before we had actually chosen on the name– we were evaluating out the theory that more business require to invest in cleaning up the electrical power grid so those dollars can be invested boosting 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 reclaim) their carbon footprint, tidy up the grid, and expand access to tidy energy by developing new solar tasks in American communities otherwise getting left behind. Were showing that you dont need to be a Fortune 500 business with the capability to sign a power purchase agreement to assist construct brand name brand-new solar projects. Even big companies that have actually led the method in eco-friendly energy procurement are now faced with the reality that the greatest chunk of their carbon footprint is in Scope 3, their value chain, where they might have little control over reduction techniques or where decreases might not be instant.

The American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) is delighted to share the next installation in our “Accelerating Renewables” blog series.
Each installment features industry leaders and subjects connected to accelerating an equitable and just transition to a sustainable energy economy. In acknowledgment of National Hispanic Heritage Month, our September features highlight how three Hispanic-owned Accelerate member companies are thriving in the renewable resource sector.
Today, we are including Clearloop, an Accelerate member business established by three Tennesseans who desire to make sure that the innovation and benefits of renewable resource reach all communities around our country similarly, starting with the neighborhoods that have a history of getting left. Click on this link to find out 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 company?
Clearloop started as an idea that morphed into a business. In the early days– even before we had actually chosen on the name– we were evaluating out the theory that more companies need to invest in cleaning up the electricity grid so those dollars can be invested enhancing the economies in Middle America where access to clean energy is limited.

How can possible partners work with you?
Were showing that you do not need to be a Fortune 500 company with the capability to sign a power purchase agreement to help develop brand brand-new solar projects. Even big business that have led the method in sustainable energy procurement are now faced with the reality that the biggest piece of their carbon footprint remains in Scope 3, their worth chain, where they may have little control over reduction strategies or where reductions may not be immediate. That is where Clearloop can be found in– were a new tool for organizations small and big to take tangible climate action today and assist us decarbonize the grid in the locations that need it the a lot of. We need more innovative ways to help deal with the climate crisis in such a way that invests in the places where that dollar produces more financial chance and social movement for the neighborhoods where were developing. Were firm followers that the environmental, health, and financial advantages of tidy energy financial investments should reach all corners of our nation and were trying to find partners who are all set to act
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