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

By Constance ThompsonSeptember 24, 2021

How can prospective partners work with you?
Were proving that you do not require to be a Fortune 500 business with the ability to sign a power purchase arrangement to assist develop brand name new solar tasks. Even huge companies that have actually led the way in renewable resource procurement are now confronted 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 strategies or where decreases might not be immediate. That is where Clearloop can be found in– were a new tool for organizations little and big to take tangible environment action right now and assist us decarbonize the grid in the places that need it the a lot of. We require more innovative ways to assist tackle the climate crisis in a method that purchases the places where that dollar develops more financial opportunity and social mobility for the communities where were constructing. Were firm believers that the ecological, health, and economic advantages of clean energy investments must reach all corners of our country and were searching for partners who are all set to do something about it
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Clearloop began as an idea that changed into a business. In the early days– even before we had actually 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 boosting the economies in Middle America where access to tidy energy is limited. Clearloop is a cleantech start-up that partners with business of all sizes to help them cut (or recover) their carbon footprint, clean up the grid, and expand access to tidy 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 business with the capability to sign a power purchase arrangement to help develop brand name new solar jobs. Even big companies that have actually led the method in eco-friendly energy procurement are now faced with the truth that the greatest portion of their carbon footprint is in Scope 3, their worth chain, where they may have little control over reduction strategies or where reductions might not be immediate.

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 topics related to speeding up a fair and simply shift to a sustainable energy economy. In recognition of National Hispanic Heritage Month, our September features highlight how 3 Hispanic-owned Accelerate member companies are prospering in the eco-friendly energy sector.
Today, we are including Clearloop, an Accelerate member business established by 3 Tennesseans who desire to ensure that the development and advantages of renewable resource reach all neighborhoods around our nation similarly, starting with the neighborhoods that have a history of getting left. Click on this link 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 begin your company?
Clearloop started as a concept that morphed 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 purchase cleaning up the electrical energy grid so those dollars can be spent boosting the economies in Middle America where access to tidy energy is limited. For me, as one of three founders, this company was influenced by the desire to bring clarity to a big issue with a basic option. We wanted business to take climate action in the exact same neighborhood that welcomed my family as immigrants, and kept me going when things felt dark and the path was uncertain
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To discover more about Clearloop, check out https://clearloop.us/.
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Tell us about Clearloop?
Clearloop is a cleantech start-up 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 new solar tasks in American communities otherwise getting left behind. Were pioneering putting a carbon worth on the building of new solar capacity thats measured in watts, not watt-hours, with a new financing structure that permits a wider range of business to get involved, while likewise being intentional about the communities where were investing to accomplish an equitable clean energy future. We just recently broke ground 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 tackle both unclean grids and financially distressed communities with our solar tasks
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What challenges do you face? Why?
Among the most significant obstacles for us, as a fairly brand-new entrant in the clean energy and carbon markets, is making credibility with market leaders who might be used to doing things a specific method. Clearloop is challenging a few of the conventional ways in which brand-new solar developments have actually been financed, and bringing attention to brand-new geographies and equity, to reinsert carbon emissions reductions into the corporate procurement discussion. Im a true follower that our vantage point from the middle of the country, and our lived experiences as creators from extremely different backgrounds, has actually brought into focus why we need more creative options to assist tidy up the grid. Weve been encouraged by corporate partners like Intuit and Vista Equity Partners, along with brand names like Dropps and Hello Bello, whove purchased reclaiming their carbon footprint by helping us build our extremely first solar project. Weve likewise had the excellent fortune of discovering like-minded companies like ACORE who acknowledge the worth of bringing varied point of views to tidying up the grid and have in fact developed a program like Accelerate to ensure we have a seat at the table
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