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

By Constance ThompsonSeptember 24, 2021

Clearloop started 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 companies require to invest in cleaning up the electricity grid so those dollars can be invested enhancing the economies in Middle America where access to tidy energy is restricted. Clearloop is a cleantech startup that partners with business of all sizes to assist them cut (or recover) their carbon footprint, clean up the grid, and broaden access to clean energy by developing brand-new solar tasks in American communities otherwise getting left behind. Were proving that you dont require to be a Fortune 500 company with the capability to sign a power purchase arrangement to help build brand name new solar tasks. Even big business that have led the way in renewable energy procurement are now faced with the reality that the greatest chunk of their carbon footprint is in Scope 3, their value chain, where they may have little control over decrease strategies or where reductions might not be immediate.

How can prospective partners do business with you?
Were proving that you do not require to be a Fortune 500 business with the capability to sign a power purchase arrangement to help construct brand name new solar jobs. Even big business that have led the way in eco-friendly 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 decrease strategies or where decreases might not be immediate. That is where Clearloop is available in– were a new tool for organizations small and huge to take tangible environment action today and help us decarbonize the grid in the locations that need it one of the most. We need more creative methods to help take on the climate crisis in a way that invests in the locations where that dollar creates more economic chance and social mobility for the communities where were building. Were firm believers that the ecological, health, and financial advantages of tidy energy financial investments ought to reach all corners of our nation and were looking for partners who are all set to do something about it
.

To find out more about Clearloop, see https://clearloop.us/.
###.

The American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) is pleased to share the next installment in our “Accelerating Renewables” blog series.
Each installation features industry leaders and topics associated with speeding up an equitable and simply transition to a renewable energy economy. In recognition of National Hispanic Heritage Month, our September features highlight how 3 Hispanic-owned Accelerate member business are thriving in the renewable energy sector.
Today, we are featuring Clearloop, an Accelerate member business founded by three Tennesseans who desire to ensure that the innovation and advantages of renewable energy reach all communities around our nation equally, beginning with the communities that have a history of getting left. Click on this link to read 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
.
What inspired you to start your company?
Clearloop started as an idea that morphed into a company. In the early days– even before 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 increasing the economies in Middle America where access to tidy energy is limited.

Tell us about Clearloop?
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 tidy energy by building new solar projects in American communities otherwise getting left behind. Were pioneering putting a carbon value on the building of brand-new solar capacity thats measured in watts, not watt-hours, with a brand-new financing structure that enables a wider variety of business to take part, while also being deliberate about the communities where were investing to attain an equitable tidy energy future. We just recently began on our very first utility-connected solar project in Jackson, Tennessee. As we grow, Clearloop will be concentrating on Appalachia and the Mississippi Delta as we take on both dirty grids and economically distressed neighborhoods with our solar jobs
.
What challenges do you deal with? Why?
One of the most significant difficulties for us, as a fairly new entrant in the clean energy and carbon markets, is making credibility with industry leaders who might be utilized to doing things a specific way. Clearloop is challenging a few of the conventional methods which new solar developments have actually been funded, and bringing attention to new geographies and equity, to reinsert carbon emissions reductions into the business procurement conversation. Im a true believer that our vantage point from the middle of the country, and our lived experiences as creators from very various backgrounds, has actually brought into focus why we require more innovative solutions to help clean up the grid. Weve been encouraged by corporate partners like Intuit and Vista Equity Partners, along with brand names like Dropps and Hello Bello, whove invested in reclaiming their carbon footprint by helping us construct our really first solar task. Weve likewise had the excellent fortune of discovering like-minded organizations like ACORE who recognize the value of bringing diverse viewpoints to cleaning up the grid and have really constructed a program like Accelerate to ensure we have a seat at the table
.