Renewable Power Perspectives Q&A with Laura Zapata, Co-Founder of Clearloop
By Constance ThompsonSeptember 24, 2021
Clearloop began as an idea that changed into a business. In the early days– even before we had chosen on the name– we were evaluating 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 help them cut (or recover) their carbon footprint, tidy up the grid, and broaden access to tidy energy by developing brand-new solar projects in American communities otherwise getting left behind. Were showing that you dont require to be a Fortune 500 company with the ability to sign a power purchase contract to assist construct brand name brand-new solar jobs. Even huge business that have actually led the method in renewable energy procurement are now faced with the truth that the biggest chunk of their carbon footprint is in Scope 3, their value chain, where they might have little control over decrease techniques or where reductions might not be immediate.
For more information about Clearloop, check out https://clearloop.us/.
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The American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) is pleased to share the next installment in our “Accelerating Renewables” blog series.
Each installment features market leaders and topics associated with speeding up an equitable and just shift to a renewable resource economy. In acknowledgment of National Hispanic Heritage Month, our September features highlight how 3 Hispanic-owned Accelerate member business are thriving in the renewable resource sector.
Today, we are featuring Clearloop, an Accelerate member company established by three Tennesseans who want to make certain that the innovation and advantages of renewable energy reach all communities around our country equally, starting with the neighborhoods that have a history of getting left behind. Click HERE to discover 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 start 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 testing out the theory that more business require to invest in cleaning up the electricity grid so those dollars can be invested improving the economies in Middle America where access to tidy energy is restricted.
How can prospective partners work with you?
Were showing that you dont require to be a Fortune 500 company with the capability to sign a power purchase agreement to help build brand new solar projects. Even big companies that have actually blazed a trail in renewable resource procurement are now confronted with the reality that the greatest piece of their carbon footprint is in Scope 3, their value chain, where they may have little control over decrease techniques or where reductions may not be immediate. That is where Clearloop comes in– were a new tool for companies little and big to take tangible climate action today and assist us decarbonize the grid in the places that require it one of the most. We need more imaginative ways to assist tackle the environment crisis in a manner that purchases the places where that dollar develops more financial chance and social mobility for the neighborhoods where were developing. Were firm followers that the environmental, health, and economic benefits of clean energy financial investments should reach all corners of our country and were searching for partners who are prepared to do something about it
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Tell us about Clearloop?
Clearloop is a cleantech startup 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 new solar jobs in American communities otherwise getting left behind. Were pioneering putting a carbon value on the construction of new solar capability thats determined in watts, not watt-hours, with a new funding structure that permits a wider array of companies to get involved, while also being deliberate about the communities where were investing to attain a fair clean energy future. We just recently broke ground on our very first utility-connected solar job 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
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What challenges do you face? Why?
One of the greatest difficulties for us, as a fairly new entrant in the clean energy and carbon markets, is making trustworthiness with industry leaders who may be used to doing things a certain method. Clearloop is challenging some of the standard ways in which brand-new solar developments have actually been financed, and bringing attention to new geographies and equity, to reinsert carbon emissions reductions into the corporate procurement conversation.