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 installation in our “Accelerating Renewables” blog series.
Each installment features market leaders and topics associated with speeding up an equitable and simply shift to a sustainable energy economy. In acknowledgment of National Hispanic Heritage Month, our September functions highlight how 3 Hispanic-owned Accelerate member companies are prospering in the renewable resource sector.
Today, we are including Clearloop, an Accelerate member company founded by three Tennesseans who wish to make sure that the development and advantages of eco-friendly energy reach all neighborhoods around our nation similarly, starting with the neighborhoods that have a history of getting left. Click HERE to discover 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 company?
Clearloop started as a concept that changed into a business. In the early days– even before we had actually selected the name– we were testing out the theory that more companies need to buy cleaning up the electrical power grid so those dollars can be invested enhancing the economies in Middle America where access to tidy energy is limited. For me, as one of 3 creators, this business was inspired by the desire to bring clearness to a large issue with a simple solution. We desired companies to take climate action in the very same community that invited my family as immigrants, and kept me going when things felt dark and the course was unclear
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Clearloop started as an idea that changed into a company. In the early days– even prior to we had actually chosen on the name– we were evaluating out the theory that more companies require to invest in cleaning up the electrical energy grid so those dollars can be spent improving the economies in Middle America where access to clean energy is restricted. Clearloop is a cleantech startup that partners with companies of all sizes to assist them cut (or reclaim) their carbon footprint, clean up the grid, and expand access to clean energy by building new solar tasks in American communities 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 help develop brand brand-new solar tasks. Even big companies that have led the method 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 strategies or where reductions may not be instant.

How can possible partners do service with you?
Were proving that you do not require to be a Fortune 500 business with the capability to sign a power purchase agreement to help build brand name brand-new solar jobs. Even huge business that have actually led the method in sustainable energy procurement are now faced with the reality that the biggest piece of their carbon footprint is in Scope 3, their worth chain, where they might have little control over reduction techniques or where decreases may not be instant.

Tell us about Clearloop?
Clearloop is a cleantech startup that partners with companies of all sizes to assist them cut (or recover) 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 worth on the building and construction of new solar capacity thats determined in watts, not watt-hours, with a brand-new funding structure that allows a larger selection of companies to take part, while likewise being intentional about the communities where were investing to attain a fair tidy energy future. We recently broke ground on our first utility-connected solar job in Jackson, Tennessee. As we grow, Clearloop will be concentrating on Appalachia and the Mississippi Delta as we take on both dirty grids and financially distressed neighborhoods with our solar projects
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What challenges do you face? Why?
One of the greatest challenges for us, as a fairly new entrant in the clean energy and carbon markets, is making credibility with industry leaders who may be used to doing things a certain method. Clearloop is challenging a few of the standard methods in which new solar advancements have actually been funded, and bringing attention to new locations and equity, to reinsert carbon emissions decreases into the business procurement conversation. Im a real follower that our viewpoint from the middle of the nation, and our lived experiences as founders from extremely various backgrounds, has brought into focus why we need more innovative services to assist tidy up the grid. Weve been encouraged by corporate partners like Intuit and Vista Equity Partners, along with brands like Dropps and Hello Bello, whove bought reclaiming their carbon footprint by assisting us develop our really first solar project. Weve likewise had the great fortune of discovering similar companies like ACORE who recognize the worth of bringing diverse point of views to tidying up the grid and have actually built a program like Accelerate to ensure we have a seat at the table
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For more information about Clearloop, check out https://clearloop.us/.
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