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 start-up that partners with business of all sizes to help 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 and construction of brand-new solar capacity thats determined in watts, not watt-hours, with a new financing structure that allows a broader array of business to take part, while also being intentional about the communities where were investing to attain an equitable clean energy future. We just recently began on our first utility-connected solar task in Jackson, Tennessee. As we grow, Clearloop will be concentrating on Appalachia and the Mississippi Delta as we take on both unclean grids and financially distressed neighborhoods with our solar projects
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What challenges do you face? Why?
One of the most significant challenges for us, as a relatively new entrant in the tidy energy and carbon markets, is making reliability with industry leaders who might be utilized to doing things a particular way. Clearloop is challenging some of the traditional methods which new solar advancements have actually been funded, and accentuating brand-new locations and equity, to reinsert carbon emissions reductions into the business procurement conversation. Im a real follower that our perspective from the middle of the nation, and our lived experiences as creators from very various backgrounds, has brought into focus why we need more imaginative services to help clean up the grid. Weve been motivated by corporate partners like Intuit and Vista Equity Partners, along with brand names like Dropps and Hello Bello, whove purchased recovering their carbon footprint by assisting us build our extremely first solar project. Weve also had the fantastic fortune of finding similar companies like ACORE who acknowledge the worth of bringing diverse point of views to tidying up the grid and have really built a program like Accelerate to guarantee we have a seat at the table
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How can possible partners work with you?
Were proving that you dont require to be a Fortune 500 business with the ability to sign a power purchase contract to assist build brand new solar tasks. Even big business that have blazed a trail in eco-friendly energy procurement are now faced with the truth that the greatest piece of their carbon footprint is in Scope 3, their value chain, where they might have little control over decrease techniques or where reductions might not be immediate. That is where Clearloop comes in– were a new tool for businesses huge and small to take tangible climate action right now and assist us decarbonize the grid in the places that need it the most. We require more innovative methods to assist take on the environment crisis in a method that purchases the places where that dollar creates more financial opportunity and social movement for the communities where were constructing. Were firm believers that the environmental, health, and economic advantages of tidy energy investments should reach all corners of our nation and were searching for partners who are all set to take action
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The American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) is delighted to share the next installment in our “Accelerating Renewables” blog series.
Each installment includes industry leaders and subjects associated with accelerating an equitable and just transition to a renewable resource economy. In acknowledgment of National Hispanic Heritage Month, our September functions highlight how three Hispanic-owned Accelerate member business are flourishing in the renewable resource sector.
Today, we are including Clearloop, an Accelerate member company founded by 3 Tennesseans who want to make sure that the innovation and advantages of sustainable energy reach all communities around our nation similarly, starting with the communities that have a history of getting left. Click HERE to get more information about Clearloops effect.
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 started as an idea that changed into a business. In the early days– even prior to we had decided on the name– we were testing out the theory that more business 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 limited.
Clearloop began as a concept that morphed into a business. In the early days– even prior to we had actually chosen on the name– we were checking 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 tidy energy is restricted. Clearloop is a cleantech start-up that partners with companies of all sizes to assist them cut (or recover) their carbon footprint, tidy up the grid, and expand access to tidy energy by developing brand-new solar jobs in American communities otherwise getting left behind. Were proving that you do not need to be a Fortune 500 company with the capability to sign a power purchase arrangement to help construct brand brand-new solar jobs. Even big companies that have led the way in sustainable energy procurement are now faced with the truth that the most significant portion of their carbon footprint is in Scope 3, their value chain, where they may have little control over decrease techniques or where decreases may not be instant.
To read more about Clearloop, go to https://clearloop.us/.
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