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 startup that partners with business of all sizes to help them cut (or reclaim) their carbon footprint, clean up the grid, and broaden access to tidy energy by constructing brand-new solar tasks in American communities otherwise getting left behind. As we grow, Clearloop will be focusing on Appalachia and the Mississippi Delta as we take on both unclean grids and financially distressed communities with our solar tasks
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What challenges do you deal with? Why?
Among the most significant difficulties for us, as a reasonably brand-new entrant in the tidy energy and carbon markets, is earning reliability with market leaders who may be utilized to doing things a certain method. Clearloop is challenging a few of the conventional methods which brand-new solar developments have been financed, and bringing attention to brand-new geographies and equity, to reinsert carbon emissions decreases into the business procurement conversation. Im a true believer that our vantage point from the middle of the country, and our lived experiences as founders from really various backgrounds, has actually brought into focus why we need more innovative services 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 recovering their carbon footprint by assisting us build our extremely first solar job. Weve also had the great fortune of finding similar companies like ACORE who acknowledge the value of bringing diverse perspectives to tidying up the grid and have really constructed a program like Accelerate to guarantee we have a seat at the table
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To learn more about Clearloop, check out https://clearloop.us/.
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The American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) is delighted to share the next installment in our “Accelerating Renewables” blog site series.
Each installment features industry leaders and topics related to accelerating an equitable and just shift to a renewable resource economy. In recognition of National Hispanic Heritage Month, our September features highlight how three Hispanic-owned Accelerate member companies are flourishing in the eco-friendly energy sector.
Today, we are featuring Clearloop, an Accelerate member company established by three Tennesseans who wish to ensure that the innovation and advantages of sustainable energy reach all communities around our country equally, beginning with the neighborhoods that have a history of getting left behind. Click HERE 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 started as an idea that morphed into a business. In the early days– even before we had actually decided 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 improving the economies in Middle America where access to tidy energy is restricted. For me, as one of three founders, this company was influenced by the desire to bring clarity to a big problem with an easy option. We desired companies to take environment action in the exact same neighborhood that invited my family as immigrants, and kept me going when things felt dark and the path was unclear
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Clearloop began as an idea that changed into a business. In the early days– even prior to we had chosen on the name– we were testing out the theory that more business need to invest in cleaning up the electricity grid so those dollars can be spent improving the economies in Middle America where access to clean 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 new solar jobs in American neighborhoods otherwise getting left behind. Were showing that you do not require to be a Fortune 500 company with the ability to sign a power purchase contract to assist construct brand name brand-new solar projects. Even big business that have actually led the method in eco-friendly energy procurement are now faced with the truth that the biggest portion of their carbon footprint is in Scope 3, their worth chain, where they might have little control over decrease strategies or where reductions might not be instant.

How can prospective partners do company with you?
Were proving that you do not require to be a Fortune 500 company with the ability to sign a power purchase contract to assist construct brand name new solar projects. Even big business that have actually led the way in renewable energy procurement are now confronted 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 techniques or where reductions might not be instant. That is where Clearloop can be found in– were a brand-new tool for services big and small to take tangible environment action right now and assist us decarbonize the grid in the places that require it the most. We need more creative methods to assist take on the environment crisis in such a way that purchases the places where that dollar creates more financial opportunity and social movement for the neighborhoods where were building. Were firm believers that the ecological, health, and economic advantages of tidy energy financial investments should reach all corners of our nation and were searching for partners who are prepared to act
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