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

By Constance ThompsonSeptember 24, 2021

To find out more about Clearloop, visit https://clearloop.us/.
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The American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) is happy to share the next installation in our “Accelerating Renewables” blog site series.
Each installation features market leaders and topics associated with accelerating a fair and simply shift to a renewable energy economy. In acknowledgment of National Hispanic Heritage Month, our September functions highlight how 3 Hispanic-owned Accelerate member business are flourishing in the renewable resource sector.
Today, we are featuring Clearloop, an Accelerate member company founded by 3 Tennesseans who wish to make sure that the innovation and benefits of renewable resource reach all communities around our country similarly, beginning with the neighborhoods that have a history of getting left behind. Click HERE to find out more 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 start your business?
Clearloop started as an idea that changed into a business. In the early days– even before we had picked the name– we were checking out the theory that more companies need to invest in cleaning up the electricity grid so those dollars can be spent enhancing the economies in Middle America where access to clean energy is restricted. For me, as one of three founders, this business was inspired by the desire to bring clarity to a big problem with a basic solution. We desired business to take climate action in the exact same community that welcomed my household as immigrants, and kept me going when things felt dark and the path was unclear
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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 broaden access to tidy energy by building new solar jobs in American communities otherwise getting left behind. Were pioneering putting a carbon value on the building and construction of brand-new solar capability thats measured in watts, not watt-hours, with a brand-new funding structure that permits a larger selection of companies to take part, while also being intentional about the communities where were investing to achieve an equitable tidy energy future. We recently began on our first utility-connected solar task in Jackson, Tennessee. As we grow, Clearloop will be concentrating on Appalachia and the Mississippi Delta as we take on both filthy grids and economically distressed communities with our solar projects
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What obstacles do you face? Why?
One of the greatest difficulties for us, as a relatively brand-new entrant in the tidy energy and carbon markets, is making trustworthiness with market leaders who may be utilized to doing things a specific way. Clearloop is challenging some of the conventional ways in which new solar advancements have been financed, and bringing attention to new geographies and equity, to reinsert carbon emissions reductions into the business procurement discussion.

Clearloop began as an idea that changed into a business. In the early days– even prior to we had actually decided 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 increasing the economies in Middle America where access to tidy energy is restricted. Clearloop is a cleantech start-up that partners with business of all sizes to assist them cut (or reclaim) their carbon footprint, clean up the grid, and expand access to tidy energy by constructing new solar projects in American communities otherwise getting left behind. Were showing that you do not need to be a Fortune 500 business with the capability to sign a power purchase agreement to assist build brand name brand-new solar jobs. Even huge business that have led the way in eco-friendly energy procurement are now faced with the truth that the most significant portion of their carbon footprint is in Scope 3, their value chain, where they may have little control over reduction techniques or where reductions may not be immediate.

How can prospective partners work with you?
Were showing that you do not require to be a Fortune 500 business with the capability to sign a power purchase arrangement to assist build brand name new solar jobs. Even huge business that have actually led the way in sustainable energy procurement are now faced with the reality that the biggest portion of their carbon footprint is in Scope 3, their worth chain, where they may have little control over reduction methods or where decreases might not be instant.