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

By Constance ThompsonSeptember 24, 2021

Tell us about Clearloop?
Clearloop is a cleantech startup 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 constructing new solar projects in American communities otherwise getting left. Were pioneering putting a carbon value on the building of brand-new solar capability thats measured in watts, not watt-hours, with a brand-new financing structure that enables a larger selection of business to take part, while also being intentional about the neighborhoods where were investing to accomplish an equitable tidy energy future. We just recently broke ground on our first utility-connected solar task 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 tasks
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What challenges do you face? Why?
One of the greatest obstacles for us, as a relatively brand-new entrant in the clean energy and carbon markets, is earning reliability with industry leaders who may be utilized to doing things a particular method. Clearloop is challenging some of the conventional methods in which new solar advancements have been funded, and bringing attention to brand-new geographies and equity, to reinsert carbon emissions decreases into the corporate procurement conversation.

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 arrangement to assist build brand brand-new solar tasks. Even huge companies that have actually blazed a trail in eco-friendly energy procurement are now faced with the reality that the greatest piece of their carbon footprint remains in Scope 3, their worth chain, where they might have little control over decrease methods or where decreases may not be instant. That is where Clearloop comes in– were a brand-new tool for services huge and little 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 help take on the environment crisis in a method that invests in the places where that dollar creates more financial opportunity and social movement for the neighborhoods where were building. Were firm believers that the ecological, health, and economic advantages of tidy energy financial investments ought to reach all corners of our nation and were trying to find partners who are ready to act
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Clearloop began as a concept that changed into a company. In the early days– even prior to we had actually decided 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 clean energy is limited. 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 clean energy by building brand-new solar tasks in American neighborhoods otherwise getting left behind. Were showing that you dont need to be a Fortune 500 company with the ability to sign a power purchase contract to help construct brand brand-new solar projects. Even huge companies that have actually led the way in eco-friendly energy procurement are now faced with the reality that the greatest piece of their carbon footprint is in Scope 3, their value chain, where they might have little control over decrease strategies or where reductions may not be instant.

To find out more about Clearloop, check out https://clearloop.us/.
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The American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) is happy to share the next installment in our “Accelerating Renewables” blog site series.
Each installment includes market leaders and subjects related to accelerating an equitable and simply shift to a renewable energy economy. In acknowledgment of National Hispanic Heritage Month, our September functions highlight how three Hispanic-owned Accelerate member business are prospering in the sustainable energy sector.
Today, we are including Clearloop, an Accelerate member business established by three Tennesseans who wish to make sure that the development and advantages of renewable resource reach all neighborhoods around our nation equally, starting with the neighborhoods that have a history of getting left behind. Click HERE to find out 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 an idea that morphed into a business. In the early days– even before we had chosen on the name– we were evaluating out the theory that more business 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 clean energy is limited.