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

By Constance ThompsonSeptember 24, 2021

Clearloop began as a concept that changed into a company. In the early days– even before we had actually chosen on the name– we were testing out the theory that more business require to invest in cleaning up the electricity grid so those dollars can be spent boosting the economies in Middle America where access to clean energy is limited. 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 broaden access to clean energy by developing new solar tasks in American communities otherwise getting left behind. Were showing that you do not require to be a Fortune 500 company with the capability to sign a power purchase agreement to assist develop brand name new solar projects. Even huge business that have actually led the method in renewable energy procurement are now faced with the truth that the most significant piece 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 instant.

How can possible partners do business with you?
Were proving that you dont require to be a Fortune 500 business with the capability to sign a power purchase contract to help develop brand name brand-new solar projects. Even huge companies that have led the method in renewable 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 might have little control over decrease techniques or where decreases might not be instant.

To find out more about Clearloop, visit https://clearloop.us/.
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Tell us about Clearloop?
Clearloop is a cleantech startup that partners with companies of all sizes to help them cut (or recover) their carbon footprint, clean up the grid, and expand access to tidy energy by developing new solar tasks in American communities otherwise getting left. Were pioneering putting a carbon worth on the building of brand-new solar capacity thats measured in watts, not watt-hours, with a new financing structure that allows a larger range of business to get involved, while likewise being deliberate about the neighborhoods where were investing to attain a fair tidy energy future. We just recently began on our first utility-connected solar job in Jackson, Tennessee. As we grow, Clearloop will be focusing on Appalachia and the Mississippi Delta as we deal with both unclean grids and financially distressed neighborhoods with our solar projects
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What challenges do you deal with? Why?
Among the most significant obstacles for us, as a reasonably brand-new entrant in the tidy energy and carbon markets, is making reliability with market leaders who might be utilized to doing things a specific way. Clearloop is challenging some of the standard methods which new solar advancements have been financed, and accentuating new geographies and equity, to reinsert carbon emissions decreases into the business procurement conversation. Im a real follower that our vantage point from the middle of the country, and our lived experiences as founders from extremely different backgrounds, has brought into focus why we need more imaginative solutions to assist clean up the grid. Weve been motivated by business partners like Intuit and Vista Equity Partners, along with brands like Dropps and Hello Bello, whove bought reclaiming their carbon footprint by assisting us construct our very first solar project. Weve also had the terrific fortune of finding similar companies like ACORE who acknowledge the value of bringing diverse point of views to cleaning up the grid and have in fact developed a program like Accelerate to guarantee we have a seat at the table
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The American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) is happy to share the next installment in our “Accelerating Renewables” blog series.
Each installment includes market leaders and topics associated with accelerating an equitable and just shift to a sustainable energy economy. In acknowledgment of National Hispanic Heritage Month, our September features highlight how three Hispanic-owned Accelerate member companies are flourishing in the renewable energy sector.
Today, we are including Clearloop, an Accelerate member company established by 3 Tennesseans who wish to make certain that the innovation and benefits of renewable resource reach all neighborhoods around our country equally, beginning with the communities that have a history of getting left behind. Click HERE to find out 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 begin your business?
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 evaluating out the theory that more business need to invest in cleaning up the electrical energy grid so those dollars can be spent enhancing the economies in Middle America where access to tidy energy is restricted.