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 happy to share the next installation in our “Accelerating Renewables” blog site series.
Each installation features industry leaders and topics connected to speeding up a fair and just transition to a renewable resource economy. In acknowledgment of National Hispanic Heritage Month, our September features highlight how 3 Hispanic-owned Accelerate member companies are prospering in the renewable resource sector.
Today, we are featuring Clearloop, an Accelerate member business established by 3 Tennesseans who desire to ensure that the innovation and benefits of renewable resource reach all neighborhoods around our nation equally, beginning with the neighborhoods that have a history of getting left behind. 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 start your business?
Clearloop began as a concept that morphed into a company. In the early days– even prior to we had actually selected the name– we were checking out the theory that more business require to purchase cleaning up the electrical power grid so those dollars can be spent enhancing the economies in Middle America where access to tidy energy is limited. For me, as one of three founders, this company was inspired by the desire to bring clearness to a big issue with an easy solution. We wanted companies to take environment action in the exact same neighborhood that invited my household as immigrants, and kept me going when things felt dark and the course was unclear
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To find out more about Clearloop, see https://clearloop.us/.
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Clearloop started as an idea that morphed into a company. In the early days– even prior to we had actually 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 increasing the economies in Middle America where access to clean energy is limited. Clearloop is a cleantech startup that partners with companies of all sizes to assist them cut (or reclaim) their carbon footprint, tidy up the grid, and broaden access to clean energy by constructing new solar jobs in American neighborhoods otherwise getting left behind. Were showing that you dont need to be a Fortune 500 company with the capability to sign a power purchase contract to help develop brand name brand-new solar jobs. Even huge business that have actually led the method in eco-friendly 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 strategies or where reductions may not be immediate.

Inform us about Clearloop?
Clearloop is a cleantech start-up that partners with companies of all sizes to assist them cut (or reclaim) their carbon footprint, clean up the grid, and broaden access to tidy energy by building new solar projects in American neighborhoods otherwise getting left behind. Were pioneering putting a carbon value on the building of new solar capability thats measured in watts, not watt-hours, with a new financing structure that allows a wider variety of companies to take part, while likewise being intentional about the neighborhoods where were investing to attain a fair clean energy future. We 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 deal with both unclean grids and economically distressed communities with our solar projects
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What challenges do you deal with? Why?
One of the most significant obstacles for us, as a relatively new entrant in the tidy energy and carbon markets, is earning trustworthiness with industry leaders who might be utilized to doing things a particular way. Clearloop is challenging some of the conventional ways in which brand-new solar developments have been funded, and bringing attention to new geographies and equity, to reinsert carbon emissions reductions into the business procurement discussion.

How can prospective partners work with you?
Were showing that you dont require to be a Fortune 500 business with the ability to sign a power purchase contract to assist construct brand name new solar projects. Even huge business that have led the way in renewable resource procurement are now confronted with the reality that the greatest 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 immediate. That is where Clearloop can be found in– were a brand-new tool for services little and big to take tangible environment action today and help us decarbonize the grid in the places that require it one of the most. We require more imaginative ways to assist deal with the environment crisis in a way that invests in the places where that dollar develops more economic chance and social movement for the neighborhoods where were building. Were firm believers that the environmental, health, and economic benefits of tidy energy financial investments ought to reach all corners of our country and were looking for partners who are prepared to act
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