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

By Constance ThompsonSeptember 24, 2021

To get more information about Clearloop, visit https://clearloop.us/.
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The American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) is pleased to share the next installation in our “Accelerating Renewables” blog series.
Each installment includes industry leaders and subjects related to speeding up a fair and just shift to a renewable resource economy. In recognition of National Hispanic Heritage Month, our September functions highlight how three Hispanic-owned Accelerate member business are growing in the eco-friendly energy sector.
Today, we are including Clearloop, an Accelerate member company established by three Tennesseans who want to make sure that the development and advantages of eco-friendly energy reach all communities around our country similarly, beginning with the communities that have a history of getting left. 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 begin your business?
Clearloop started as a concept that changed into a business. In the early days– even before we had chosen on the name– we were testing out the theory that more companies require to invest in cleaning up the electrical power grid so those dollars can be invested enhancing the economies in Middle America where access to tidy energy is restricted.

Inform 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 clean energy by developing new solar jobs in American communities otherwise getting left behind. Were pioneering putting a carbon value on the building of brand-new solar capacity thats measured in watts, not watt-hours, with a new funding structure that permits a larger array of companies to get involved, while likewise being deliberate about the neighborhoods where were investing to attain a fair tidy energy future. We recently began 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 jobs
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What challenges do you face? Why?
One of the greatest difficulties for us, as a reasonably brand-new entrant in the tidy energy and carbon markets, is earning credibility with market leaders who may be used to doing things a certain way. Clearloop is challenging some of the standard ways in which new solar advancements have been funded, and bringing attention to brand-new geographies and equity, to reinsert carbon emissions reductions into the corporate procurement conversation.

How can potential partners work with you?
Were showing that you dont require to be a Fortune 500 company with the capability to sign a power purchase contract to assist develop brand name new solar tasks. Even big companies that have blazed a trail in renewable energy procurement are now faced with the reality that the biggest piece of their carbon footprint remains in Scope 3, their value chain, where they may have little control over decrease methods or where decreases might not be immediate. That is where Clearloop comes in– were a brand-new tool for companies little and big to take tangible climate action right now and assist us decarbonize the grid in the places that need it one of the most. We require more imaginative methods to assist deal with the environment crisis in a manner that invests in the places where that dollar produces more economic chance and social mobility for the communities where were constructing. Were firm followers that the environmental, health, and financial benefits of tidy energy financial investments ought to reach all corners of our country and were trying to find partners who are prepared to take action
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Clearloop began as a concept that morphed into a business. In the early days– even prior to we had chosen on the name– we were checking out the theory that more companies need to invest in cleaning up the electrical energy grid so those dollars can be spent increasing the economies in Middle America where access to tidy energy is restricted. 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 building new solar tasks in American neighborhoods otherwise getting left behind. Were proving that you do not require to be a Fortune 500 business with the capability to sign a power purchase contract to help build brand brand-new solar projects. Even big business that have 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 may have little control over decrease methods or where reductions may not be instant.