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 pleased to share the next installation in our “Accelerating Renewables” blog site series.
Each installation includes market leaders and subjects connected to accelerating a fair and simply transition to a renewable resource economy. In acknowledgment of National Hispanic Heritage Month, our September features highlight how 3 Hispanic-owned Accelerate member companies are flourishing in the renewable energy sector.
Today, we are featuring Clearloop, an Accelerate member company established by three Tennesseans who want to make sure that the innovation and benefits of renewable resource reach all neighborhoods around our country similarly, beginning with the neighborhoods that have a history of getting left. 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 start your company?
Clearloop began as a concept that morphed into a company. In the early days– even prior to we had actually picked the name– we were evaluating out the theory that more business require to buy tidying up the electricity grid so those dollars can be spent enhancing the economies in Middle America where access to clean energy is limited. For me, as one of three creators, this company was influenced by the desire to bring clearness to a large problem with a basic service. We wanted business to take environment action in the same neighborhood that welcomed my household as immigrants, and kept me going when things felt dark and the course was uncertain
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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 need to invest in cleaning up the electricity grid so those dollars can be spent enhancing the economies in Middle America where access to tidy energy is restricted. Clearloop is a cleantech start-up that partners with companies of all sizes to help them cut (or reclaim) their carbon footprint, clean up the grid, and broaden access to tidy energy by building new solar tasks in American communities otherwise getting left behind. Were showing that you do not require to be a Fortune 500 company with the capability to sign a power purchase agreement to help build brand new solar jobs. Even big companies that have led the method in eco-friendly energy procurement are now faced with the reality that the greatest portion of their carbon footprint is in Scope 3, their worth chain, where they may have little control over reduction methods or where reductions might not be immediate.

How can prospective partners do company 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 build brand new solar tasks. Even huge business that have led the way in sustainable energy procurement are now faced with the reality that the biggest piece of their carbon footprint is in Scope 3, their value chain, where they may have little control over reduction methods or where reductions might not be instant.

Inform us about Clearloop?
Clearloop is a cleantech start-up that partners with companies of all sizes to assist them cut (or reclaim) their carbon footprint, tidy up the grid, and expand access to tidy energy by developing brand-new solar projects in American neighborhoods otherwise getting left. Were pioneering putting a carbon worth on the building and construction of new solar capability thats determined in watts, not watt-hours, with a new financing structure that allows a wider variety of companies to get involved, while also being deliberate about the communities where were investing to accomplish an equitable clean energy future. We recently began 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 tackle both filthy grids and financially distressed neighborhoods with our solar projects
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What challenges do you deal with? Why?
One of the most significant obstacles for us, as a fairly new entrant in the clean energy and carbon markets, is earning reliability with market leaders who may be used to doing things a particular way. Clearloop is challenging some of the conventional methods in which new solar developments have actually been funded, and bringing attention to brand-new geographies and equity, to reinsert carbon emissions reductions into the business procurement discussion.

To find out more about Clearloop, go to https://clearloop.us/.
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