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

By Constance ThompsonSeptember 24, 2021

To find out more about Clearloop, check out https://clearloop.us/.
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Tell us about Clearloop?
Clearloop is a cleantech start-up that partners with companies of all sizes to help them cut (or recover) their carbon footprint, tidy up the grid, and broaden access to tidy energy by developing new solar projects in American neighborhoods otherwise getting left behind. Were pioneering putting a carbon value on the construction of brand-new solar capability thats measured in watts, not watt-hours, with a brand-new financing structure that enables a wider variety of companies to participate, while also being deliberate about the neighborhoods where were investing to achieve an equitable clean energy future. We recently broke ground 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 deal with both dirty grids and economically distressed communities with our solar tasks
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What challenges do you face? Why?
One of the greatest challenges for us, as a reasonably brand-new entrant in the clean energy and carbon markets, is making trustworthiness with market leaders who may be used to doing things a specific method. Clearloop is challenging some of the conventional ways in which new solar developments have actually been financed, and bringing attention to new locations and equity, to reinsert carbon emissions reductions into the corporate procurement conversation.

The American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) is happy to share the next installation in our “Accelerating Renewables” blog series.
Each installment features industry leaders and topics related to accelerating a fair and just transition to a renewable resource economy. In recognition of National Hispanic Heritage Month, our September features highlight how three Hispanic-owned Accelerate member business are growing in the renewable energy sector.
Today, we are including Clearloop, an Accelerate member business founded by 3 Tennesseans who desire to make sure that the innovation and advantages of renewable resource reach all communities around our country similarly, beginning with the communities that have a history of getting left behind. Click HERE for more information 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 start your business?
Clearloop began as an idea that morphed into a company. In the early days– even prior to we had decided on the name– we were testing out the theory that more companies require to invest in tidying up the electrical energy grid so those dollars can be spent increasing the economies in Middle America where access to tidy energy is limited. For me, as one of 3 founders, this business was influenced by the desire to bring clarity to a large issue with a basic option. We desired companies to take climate action in the exact same neighborhood that welcomed my household as immigrants, and kept me going when things felt dark and the course 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 actually chosen on the name– we were evaluating out the theory that more business require 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 limited. 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 clean energy by developing brand-new solar tasks in American communities otherwise getting left behind. Were proving that you do not require to be a Fortune 500 company with the ability to sign a power purchase arrangement to help construct brand new solar jobs. Even huge companies that have led the way in sustainable energy procurement are now faced with the reality that the most significant piece of their carbon footprint is in Scope 3, their value chain, where they might have little control over decrease techniques or where decreases may not be instant.

How can possible partners work with you?
Were proving that you do not require to be a Fortune 500 business with the ability to sign a power purchase arrangement to help develop brand new solar tasks. Even big business that have actually blazed a trail in renewable resource procurement are now faced with the truth that the most significant portion of their carbon footprint remains in Scope 3, their worth chain, where they might have little control over reduction techniques or where decreases might not be immediate. That is where Clearloop is available in– were a brand-new tool for services huge and small to take concrete climate action today and assist us decarbonize the grid in the locations that need it the many. We require more imaginative ways to help tackle the climate crisis in such a way that invests in the places where that dollar develops more economic chance and social movement for the communities where were building. Were firm believers that the environmental, health, and economic advantages of tidy energy financial investments must reach all corners of our country and were trying to find partners who are all set to do something about it
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