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 installation in our “Accelerating Renewables” blog site series.
Each installation features industry leaders and topics connected to accelerating an equitable 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 growing in the renewable resource sector.
Today, we are including Clearloop, an Accelerate member business founded by three Tennesseans who desire to make certain that the innovation and advantages of eco-friendly energy reach all neighborhoods around our country similarly, starting with the communities 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 start your company?
Clearloop started as a concept that changed into a business. In the early days– even before we had actually chosen on the name– we were testing out the theory that more companies require to invest in cleaning up the electrical energy grid so those dollars can be invested boosting the economies in Middle America where access to tidy energy is limited.
Inform us about Clearloop?
Clearloop is a cleantech startup that partners with companies of all sizes to assist them cut (or recover) their carbon footprint, tidy up the grid, and broaden access to tidy energy by building new solar jobs in American neighborhoods otherwise getting left behind. Were pioneering putting a carbon value on the construction of new solar capacity thats measured in watts, not watt-hours, with a brand-new funding structure that enables a broader selection of business to take part, while also being intentional about the communities where were investing to achieve 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 concentrating on Appalachia and the Mississippi Delta as we take on both filthy grids and financially distressed neighborhoods with our solar projects
.
What challenges do you face? Why?
One of the most significant obstacles for us, as a reasonably new entrant in the clean energy and carbon markets, is making credibility with market leaders who might be used to doing things a specific way. Clearloop is challenging some of the traditional ways in which new solar advancements have been financed, and bringing attention to new locations and equity, to reinsert carbon emissions decreases into the corporate procurement conversation. Im a real believer that our vantage point from the middle of the nation, and our lived experiences as creators from extremely different backgrounds, has actually brought into focus why we require more innovative solutions to help tidy up the grid. Weve been encouraged by corporate 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 build our very first solar project. Weve also had the excellent fortune of finding similar companies like ACORE who acknowledge the value of bringing diverse point of views to cleaning up the grid and have actually developed a program like Accelerate to guarantee we have a seat at the table
.
How can prospective 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 contract to help build brand name new solar projects. Even huge business that have actually led the method in eco-friendly energy procurement are now confronted with the reality that the biggest piece of their carbon footprint remains in Scope 3, their worth chain, where they might have little control over reduction strategies or where reductions might not be immediate. That is where Clearloop can be found in– were a new tool for companies huge and small to take concrete environment action right now and help us decarbonize the grid in the places that require it the a lot of. We require more imaginative methods to help take on the climate crisis in a manner that buys the locations where that dollar produces more economic opportunity and social movement for the communities where were developing. Were firm followers that the ecological, health, and economic benefits of tidy energy investments must reach all corners of our nation and were searching for partners who are prepared to do something about it
.
Clearloop started as an idea that changed into a company. In the early days– even before we had chosen on the name– we were checking out the theory that more companies require to invest in cleaning up the electrical energy grid so those dollars can be invested increasing the economies in Middle America where access to clean 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 broaden access to tidy energy by developing brand-new solar jobs in American neighborhoods otherwise getting left behind. Were proving that you dont need to be a Fortune 500 business with the ability to sign a power purchase arrangement to help construct brand name new solar projects. Even huge companies that have led the method in eco-friendly energy procurement are now faced with the truth that the biggest piece of their carbon footprint is in Scope 3, their worth chain, where they might have little control over decrease techniques or where reductions might not be immediate.
To learn more about Clearloop, visit https://clearloop.us/.
###.