Renewable Power Perspectives Q&A with Laura Zapata, Co-Founder of Clearloop
By Constance ThompsonSeptember 24, 2021
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 connected to accelerating a fair and just transition to a renewable resource economy. In recognition of National Hispanic Heritage Month, our September functions highlight how three Hispanic-owned Accelerate member companies are flourishing in the renewable energy sector.
Today, we are including Clearloop, an Accelerate member business founded by three Tennesseans who wish to ensure that the development and benefits of renewable resource reach all communities around our nation equally, beginning with the communities that have a history of getting left behind. Click HERE to get more information 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 business?
Clearloop began as a concept that morphed into a business. In the early days– even before we had chosen the name– we were evaluating out the theory that more companies require to purchase tidying up the electricity grid so those dollars can be spent boosting the economies in Middle America where access to clean energy is limited. For me, as one of 3 creators, this company was influenced by the desire to bring clearness to a big problem with a simple service. We desired companies to take environment action in the exact same community that invited my household as immigrants, and kept me going when things felt dark and the path was uncertain
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Tell 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, tidy up the grid, and expand access to clean energy by constructing brand-new solar tasks in American communities otherwise getting left behind. Were pioneering putting a carbon worth on the building and construction of brand-new solar capability thats measured in watts, not watt-hours, with a brand-new financing structure that permits a broader selection of companies to participate, 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 concentrating on Appalachia and the Mississippi Delta as we tackle both unclean grids and economically distressed neighborhoods with our solar tasks
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What challenges do you deal with? Why?
One of the most significant difficulties for us, as a reasonably brand-new entrant in the clean energy and carbon markets, is making credibility with industry leaders who may be used to doing things a specific method. Clearloop is challenging some of the standard methods which brand-new solar advancements have been financed, and bringing attention to brand-new locations and equity, to reinsert carbon emissions decreases into the corporate procurement conversation. Im a true believer that our viewpoint from the middle of the country, and our lived experiences as founders from extremely different backgrounds, has brought into focus why we need more innovative solutions to help clean up the grid. Weve been motivated by corporate partners like Intuit and Vista Equity Partners, as well as brands like Dropps and Hello Bello, whove purchased reclaiming their carbon footprint by helping us construct our extremely first solar task. Weve also had the fantastic fortune of discovering similar organizations like ACORE who recognize the worth of bringing varied viewpoints to cleaning up the grid and have in fact developed 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 business with the ability to sign a power purchase arrangement to help construct brand brand-new solar jobs. Even big companies that have actually led the method in renewable resource procurement are now faced 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 decreases may not be instant. That is where Clearloop can be found in– were a brand-new tool for companies huge and little to take concrete climate action right now and help us decarbonize the grid in the locations that require it one of the most. We require more imaginative ways to help take on the environment crisis in a manner that buys the locations where that dollar produces more financial opportunity and social movement for the communities where were building. Were firm followers that the environmental, health, and financial advantages of tidy energy investments need to reach all corners of our country and were looking for partners who are ready to act
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To find out more about Clearloop, go to https://clearloop.us/.
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Clearloop began as an idea that morphed into a company. In the early days– even before we had actually decided on the name– we were checking out the theory that more companies need to invest in cleaning up the electrical power grid so those dollars can be spent increasing 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 help them cut (or recover) their carbon footprint, clean up the grid, and broaden access to clean energy by building new solar tasks in American communities otherwise getting left behind. Were showing that you dont need to be a Fortune 500 business with the ability to sign a power purchase arrangement to assist construct brand name new solar projects. Even big companies that have led the method in renewable energy procurement are now faced with the truth that the greatest chunk of their carbon footprint is in Scope 3, their value chain, where they may have little control over reduction strategies or where reductions may not be immediate.