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 installment features industry leaders and subjects related to speeding up a fair and just shift to a renewable resource economy. In acknowledgment of National Hispanic Heritage Month, our September functions highlight how 3 Hispanic-owned Accelerate member companies are flourishing in the renewable resource sector.
Today, we are featuring Clearloop, an Accelerate member business founded by 3 Tennesseans who wish to make sure that the innovation and benefits of renewable resource reach all neighborhoods around our country similarly, beginning with the neighborhoods that have a history of getting left behind. Click on this link for 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 begin your business?
Clearloop began as a concept that changed into a company. In the early days– even prior to we had actually selected the name– we were evaluating 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. For me, as one of three creators, this company was inspired by the desire to bring clearness to a large issue with a basic option. We wanted companies to take climate 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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How can prospective partners do organization with you?
Were proving that you do not need to be a Fortune 500 business with the capability to sign a power purchase agreement to assist construct brand brand-new solar jobs. Even huge companies that have led the way in renewable resource procurement are now confronted with the reality that the greatest chunk of their carbon footprint remains in Scope 3, their worth chain, where they might have little control over decrease techniques or where reductions may not be immediate. That is where Clearloop comes in– were a brand-new tool for businesses huge and little to take tangible climate action right now and assist us decarbonize the grid in the places that require it one of the most. We require more innovative methods to help deal with the environment crisis in a manner that buys the places where that dollar produces more economic chance and social mobility for the neighborhoods where were developing. Were firm believers that the environmental, health, and economic benefits of clean energy financial investments must reach all corners of our nation and were searching for partners who are all set to take action
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Inform us about Clearloop?
Clearloop is a cleantech startup that partners with business of all sizes to assist them cut (or reclaim) their carbon footprint, tidy 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 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 enables a larger range of companies to take part, while likewise being deliberate about the communities where were investing to accomplish an equitable tidy energy future. We just recently began on our very first utility-connected solar job 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 communities with our solar jobs
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What difficulties do you deal with? Why?
Among the most significant obstacles for us, as a fairly new entrant in the tidy energy and carbon markets, is making credibility with industry leaders who might be utilized to doing things a particular way. Clearloop is challenging some of the traditional methods in which new solar developments have actually been funded, and accentuating brand-new locations and equity, to reinsert carbon emissions reductions into the corporate procurement conversation. Im a true believer that our vantage point from the middle of the country, and our lived experiences as founders from extremely various backgrounds, has brought into focus why we need more imaginative options to help clean up the grid. Weve been motivated by corporate partners like Intuit and Vista Equity Partners, along with brands like Dropps and Hello Bello, whove invested in reclaiming their carbon footprint by assisting us build our very first solar task. Weve also had the fantastic fortune of finding like-minded organizations like ACORE who acknowledge the worth of bringing varied viewpoints to cleaning up the grid and have really constructed a program like Accelerate to ensure we have a seat at the table
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Clearloop started as a concept that changed into a business. In the early days– even prior to we had actually decided on the name– we were evaluating out the theory that more business need to invest in cleaning up the electrical power grid so those dollars can be spent improving 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 help them cut (or reclaim) their carbon footprint, tidy up the grid, and expand access to clean energy by developing 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 arrangement to assist build brand name new solar projects. Even big companies that have led the way in renewable 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 decrease techniques or where decreases may not be immediate.

To read more about Clearloop, check out https://clearloop.us/.
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