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 delighted to share the next installment in our “Accelerating Renewables” blog series.
Each installation features market leaders and topics associated with accelerating an equitable and just shift to a renewable resource economy. In acknowledgment of National Hispanic Heritage Month, our September features highlight how three 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 wish to make certain that the development and benefits of renewable energy 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 began as an idea that morphed into a company. In the early days– even before we had selected the name– we were testing out the theory that more business require to purchase tidying up the electricity grid so those dollars can be spent increasing the economies in Middle America where access to clean energy is restricted. For me, as one of three founders, this company was influenced by the desire to bring clarity to a large problem with a basic option. We wanted business to take climate action in the same community that welcomed my household as immigrants, and kept me going when things felt dark and the path was uncertain
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Clearloop began as a concept that changed 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 business need to invest in cleaning up the electrical power grid so those dollars can be spent increasing the economies in Middle America where access to tidy energy is limited. Clearloop is a cleantech startup that partners with business of all sizes to assist them cut (or recover) their carbon footprint, tidy up the grid, and broaden access to clean energy by constructing brand-new solar projects in American neighborhoods otherwise getting left behind. Were showing that you dont require to be a Fortune 500 business with the capability to sign a power purchase agreement to assist construct brand name brand-new solar jobs. Even big business that have actually led the method in renewable energy procurement are now faced with the truth that the greatest chunk of their carbon footprint is in Scope 3, their worth chain, where they might have little control over reduction methods or where decreases may not be immediate.

Inform us about Clearloop?
Clearloop is a cleantech startup that partners with business of all sizes to help them cut (or reclaim) their carbon footprint, tidy up the grid, and broaden access to tidy energy by developing brand-new solar tasks in American neighborhoods otherwise getting left. Were pioneering putting a carbon worth on the building and construction of brand-new solar capability thats measured in watts, not watt-hours, with a brand-new funding structure that allows a broader array of business to take part, while likewise being intentional about the neighborhoods where were investing to accomplish a fair clean energy future. We just recently broke ground on our very first utility-connected solar task in Jackson, Tennessee. As we grow, Clearloop will be concentrating on Appalachia and the Mississippi Delta as we deal with both filthy grids and financially distressed neighborhoods with our solar jobs
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What difficulties do you face? Why?
One of the most significant challenges for us, as a fairly brand-new entrant in the tidy energy and carbon markets, is making reliability with industry leaders who may be used to doing things a particular method. Clearloop is challenging some of the standard methods in which new solar advancements have actually been funded, and bringing attention to brand-new locations and equity, to reinsert carbon emissions decreases into the business procurement conversation.

How can potential partners do business with you?
Were proving that you dont need to be a Fortune 500 company with the ability to sign a power purchase agreement to help build brand new solar tasks. Even huge business 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 value chain, where they might have little control over decrease methods or where decreases might not be immediate. That is where Clearloop is available in– were a brand-new tool for services big and small to take tangible environment action right now and help us decarbonize the grid in the places that need it one of the most. We require more imaginative ways to assist deal with the climate crisis in a method that buys the locations where that dollar develops more financial opportunity and social movement for the communities where were building. Were firm followers that the ecological, health, and economic benefits of tidy energy investments must reach all corners of our country and were searching for partners who are all set to take action
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To get more information about Clearloop, check out https://clearloop.us/.
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