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

By Constance ThompsonSeptember 24, 2021

Inform 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 expand access to tidy energy by developing new solar tasks in American communities otherwise getting left behind. Were pioneering putting a carbon value on the construction of new solar capacity thats measured in watts, not watt-hours, with a brand-new funding structure that permits a broader selection of companies to participate, while also being deliberate about the neighborhoods where were investing to achieve a fair tidy energy future. We recently began on our first utility-connected solar project in Jackson, Tennessee. As we grow, Clearloop will be concentrating on Appalachia and the Mississippi Delta as we deal with both dirty grids and financially distressed neighborhoods with our solar tasks
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What difficulties do you face? Why?
One of the greatest difficulties for us, as a reasonably brand-new entrant in the clean energy and carbon markets, is earning reliability with market leaders who might be used to doing things a particular method. Clearloop is challenging some of the standard methods in which new solar developments have actually been financed, and bringing attention to new locations and equity, to reinsert carbon emissions decreases into the business procurement conversation.

For more information about Clearloop, see https://clearloop.us/.
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How can possible partners do service with you?
Were showing that you dont need to be a Fortune 500 company with the capability to sign a power purchase agreement to help build brand name brand-new solar tasks. Even big companies that have actually led the method in renewable energy procurement are now confronted with the reality that the most significant chunk of their carbon footprint remains in Scope 3, their value chain, where they might have little control over reduction methods or where decreases might not be immediate. That is where Clearloop can be found in– were a brand-new tool for companies big and small to take tangible environment action right now and help us decarbonize the grid in the locations that need it one of the most. We require more imaginative ways to assist tackle the environment crisis in a manner that purchases the places where that dollar creates more economic opportunity and social movement for the communities where were building. Were firm followers that the ecological, health, and economic advantages of tidy energy financial investments should reach all corners of our nation and were searching for partners who are ready to do something about it
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Clearloop started as an idea that changed into a company. In the early days– even prior to we had chosen on the name– we were testing out the theory that more companies require to invest in cleaning up the electrical energy grid so those dollars can be spent increasing the economies in Middle America where access to clean energy is restricted. 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 clean energy by building new solar tasks in American neighborhoods otherwise getting left behind. Were showing that you dont require to be a Fortune 500 business with the ability to sign a power purchase arrangement to help build brand brand-new solar jobs. Even huge business that have actually led the method in sustainable energy procurement are now faced with the truth that the most significant chunk of their carbon footprint is in Scope 3, their worth chain, where they may have little control over reduction techniques or where reductions might not be instant.

The American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) is happy to share the next installation in our “Accelerating Renewables” blog site series.
Each installation includes industry leaders and topics related to accelerating an equitable and simply transition to an eco-friendly energy economy. In acknowledgment of National Hispanic Heritage Month, our September features highlight how three Hispanic-owned Accelerate member business are flourishing in the renewable energy sector.
Today, we are featuring Clearloop, an Accelerate member company founded by three Tennesseans who wish to make certain that the development and benefits of renewable resource reach all neighborhoods around our nation equally, starting with the neighborhoods that have a history of getting left behind. Click on this link 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 company. In the early days– even prior to we had chosen the name– we were evaluating out the theory that more companies require to invest in tidying up the electrical power grid so those dollars can be spent boosting the economies in Middle America where access to tidy energy is restricted. For me, as one of three founders, this business was motivated by the desire to bring clarity to a large problem with a basic solution. We wanted business to take environment action in the exact same community that welcomed my family as immigrants, and kept me going when things felt dark and the path was unclear
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