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 delighted to share the next installment in our “Accelerating Renewables” blog site series.
Each installation includes market leaders and topics associated with accelerating a fair and simply transition to an eco-friendly energy economy. In acknowledgment of National Hispanic Heritage Month, our September functions highlight how 3 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 wish to ensure that the innovation and benefits of eco-friendly energy reach all neighborhoods around our country similarly, starting with the neighborhoods that have a history of getting left behind. Click on this link 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
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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 prior to we had chosen the name– we were checking out the theory that more companies require to invest in tidying up the electrical energy grid so those dollars can be invested increasing the economies in Middle America where access to tidy energy is restricted. For me, as one of three creators, this company was inspired by the desire to bring clarity to a large issue with an easy option. We wanted companies to take climate action in the very same community that welcomed my family as immigrants, and kept me going when things felt dark and the course was uncertain
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To get more information about Clearloop, go to https://clearloop.us/.
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Clearloop began as a concept that changed into a business. In the early days– even before we had decided 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 invested improving 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 assist them cut (or recover) their carbon footprint, tidy up the grid, and broaden access to tidy energy by developing new solar projects in American neighborhoods otherwise getting left behind. Were proving that you do not require to be a Fortune 500 business with the ability to sign a power purchase arrangement to help build brand name brand-new solar tasks. Even big companies that have actually led the method in eco-friendly energy procurement are now faced with the truth that the most significant chunk of their carbon footprint is in Scope 3, their value chain, where they may have little control over decrease strategies or where reductions might not be immediate.

How can prospective partners work with you?
Were proving that you dont need to be a Fortune 500 business with the ability to sign a power purchase contract to help develop brand name brand-new solar projects. Even huge business that have actually blazed a trail in renewable resource procurement are now confronted with the reality that the biggest piece of their carbon footprint remains in Scope 3, their value chain, where they might have little control over decrease methods or where decreases may not be immediate. That is where Clearloop can be found in– were a new tool for services little and huge to take concrete environment action right now and help us decarbonize the grid in the locations that require it one of the most. We need more creative ways to assist tackle the climate crisis in such a way that purchases the locations where that dollar creates more financial opportunity and social mobility for the communities where were constructing. Were firm believers that the ecological, health, and financial benefits of clean energy financial investments should reach all corners of our nation and were searching for partners who are prepared to act
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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 expand access to tidy energy by constructing new solar tasks in American communities otherwise getting left behind. Were pioneering putting a carbon worth on the construction of brand-new solar capacity thats measured in watts, not watt-hours, with a brand-new funding structure that permits a wider variety of business to take part, while also being deliberate about the communities where were investing to achieve a fair tidy energy future. We just recently broke ground on our very first utility-connected solar job in Jackson, Tennessee. As we grow, Clearloop will be concentrating on Appalachia and the Mississippi Delta as we tackle 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 difficulties for us, as a reasonably new entrant in the tidy energy and carbon markets, is earning credibility with market leaders who might be utilized to doing things a specific method. Clearloop is challenging some of the standard methods in which new solar advancements have been funded, and bringing attention to new locations and equity, to reinsert carbon emissions reductions into the corporate procurement conversation.