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 happy to share the next installation in our “Accelerating Renewables” blog series.
Each installation includes industry leaders and subjects related to speeding up a fair and simply transition to a sustainable energy economy. In recognition of National Hispanic Heritage Month, our September functions highlight how three Hispanic-owned Accelerate member business are prospering in the renewable resource sector.
Today, we are featuring Clearloop, an Accelerate member company established by 3 Tennesseans who desire to make sure that the innovation and benefits of renewable resource reach all communities around our nation equally, beginning with the communities that have a history of getting left behind. Click HERE to read 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 start your company?
Clearloop started as an idea that changed into a company. In the early days– even before we had actually selected the name– we were evaluating out the theory that more companies require to purchase tidying up the electricity grid so those dollars can be spent boosting the economies in Middle America where access to clean energy is restricted. For me, as one of three creators, this business was inspired by the desire to bring clearness to a big issue with a simple solution. We wanted companies to take environment action in the same neighborhood that invited my family as immigrants, and kept me going when things felt dark and the path was unclear
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To read more about Clearloop, see https://clearloop.us/.
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Tell us about Clearloop?
Clearloop is a cleantech startup that partners with companies of all sizes to help them cut (or reclaim) their carbon footprint, clean up the grid, and expand access to tidy energy by constructing brand-new solar jobs in American communities otherwise getting left behind. As we grow, Clearloop will be focusing on Appalachia and the Mississippi Delta as we tackle both filthy grids and economically distressed communities with our solar tasks
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What obstacles do you face? Why?
One of the greatest challenges for us, as a fairly brand-new entrant in the clean energy and carbon markets, is making reliability with industry leaders who might be utilized to doing things a certain method. Clearloop is challenging some of the standard ways in which new solar developments have been financed, and bringing attention to brand-new geographies and equity, to reinsert carbon emissions reductions into the corporate procurement discussion.

Clearloop started as an idea that morphed into a company. In the early days– even before we had actually decided 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 spent enhancing the economies in Middle America where access to clean energy is limited. Clearloop is a cleantech start-up that partners with companies 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 proving that you do not need to be a Fortune 500 business with the ability to sign a power purchase contract to assist build brand brand-new solar tasks. Even huge companies that have led the method in renewable 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 might have little control over decrease strategies or where reductions might not be instant.

How can potential partners do organization with you?
Were showing that you do not need to be a Fortune 500 company with the ability to sign a power purchase contract to help construct brand brand-new solar jobs. Even big business that have blazed a trail in renewable energy procurement are now confronted with the reality that the greatest chunk of their carbon footprint remains in Scope 3, their worth chain, where they may have little control over reduction techniques or where reductions may not be instant. That is where Clearloop comes in– were a brand-new tool for businesses little and huge to take concrete environment action today and help us decarbonize the grid in the places that need it one of the most. We require more innovative ways to assist deal with the environment crisis in a way that buys the locations where that dollar produces more financial opportunity and social movement for the communities where were building. Were firm followers that the ecological, health, and economic advantages of tidy energy financial investments ought to reach all corners of our nation and were looking for partners who are prepared to do something about it
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