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

By Constance ThompsonSeptember 24, 2021

Clearloop started as a concept that morphed into a business. In the early days– even prior to we had actually decided on the name– we were testing out the theory that more business require to invest in cleaning up the electrical power grid so those dollars can be spent increasing the economies in Middle America where access to tidy energy is limited. 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 developing brand-new solar jobs in American neighborhoods otherwise getting left behind. Were proving that you do not need to be a Fortune 500 business with the ability to sign a power purchase contract to assist build brand brand-new solar jobs. Even big business that have actually led the way in renewable energy procurement are now faced with the truth that the biggest chunk of their carbon footprint is in Scope 3, their worth chain, where they might have little control over reduction techniques or where reductions might not be immediate.

The American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) is pleased to share the next installment in our “Accelerating Renewables” blog series.
Each installment includes market leaders and subjects associated with speeding up an equitable and just shift to an eco-friendly energy economy. In acknowledgment of National Hispanic Heritage Month, our September functions highlight how 3 Hispanic-owned Accelerate member business are thriving in the renewable resource sector.
Today, we are including Clearloop, an Accelerate member business founded by three Tennesseans who desire to ensure that the innovation and advantages of sustainable energy reach all communities around our nation equally, starting with the communities that have a history of getting left behind. Click on this link to learn 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
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What inspired you to begin your company?
Clearloop started as a concept that morphed into a business. In the early days– even before we had actually decided on the name– we were evaluating out the theory that more business need to invest in cleaning up the electricity grid so those dollars can be spent increasing the economies in Middle America where access to tidy energy is limited.

How can potential partners work with you?
Were showing that you do not require to be a Fortune 500 company with the ability to sign a power purchase arrangement to help develop brand brand-new solar tasks. Even big business 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 decrease strategies or where reductions may not be instant.

To find out more about Clearloop, go to https://clearloop.us/.
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Inform us about Clearloop?
Clearloop is a cleantech start-up that partners with companies of all sizes to assist them cut (or recover) their carbon footprint, clean up the grid, and broaden access to clean energy by constructing brand-new solar jobs in American communities otherwise getting left behind. Were pioneering putting a carbon value on the construction of brand-new solar capacity thats determined in watts, not watt-hours, with a brand-new financing structure that permits a wider array of business to get involved, while also being deliberate about the neighborhoods where were investing to achieve an equitable tidy energy future. We just 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 deal with both filthy grids and economically distressed neighborhoods with our solar projects
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What difficulties do you face? Why?
One of the greatest obstacles for us, as a fairly brand-new entrant in the clean energy and carbon markets, is making trustworthiness with market leaders who may be used to doing things a certain method. Clearloop is challenging some of the standard ways in which new solar developments have been financed, and accentuating brand-new locations and equity, to reinsert carbon emissions decreases into the corporate procurement discussion. Im a real believer that our viewpoint from the middle of the country, and our lived experiences as creators from extremely different backgrounds, has brought into focus why we need more innovative solutions to assist clean up the grid. Weve been motivated by business partners like Intuit and Vista Equity Partners, along with brands like Dropps and Hello Bello, whove purchased reclaiming their carbon footprint by helping us construct our very first solar job. Weve also had the terrific fortune of discovering like-minded companies like ACORE who acknowledge the value of bringing diverse perspectives to cleaning up the grid and have in fact built a program like Accelerate to guarantee we have a seat at the table
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