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

By Constance ThompsonSeptember 24, 2021

To read more about Clearloop, visit https://clearloop.us/.
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Clearloop began as a concept that morphed into a company. In the early days– even before we had actually decided on the name– we were testing out the theory that more companies require to invest in cleaning up the electrical power 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 help them cut (or reclaim) their carbon footprint, tidy up the grid, and expand access to tidy energy by developing new solar jobs in American communities otherwise getting left behind. Were showing that you do not require to be a Fortune 500 business with the capability to sign a power purchase contract to help develop brand name brand-new solar tasks. Even big companies that have actually led the method in renewable energy procurement are now faced with the reality that the biggest portion of their carbon footprint is in Scope 3, their value chain, where they might have little control over decrease methods 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 capability to sign a power purchase agreement to assist construct brand brand-new solar jobs. Even huge companies that have actually led the method in eco-friendly energy procurement are now confronted with the reality that the most significant piece of their carbon footprint is in Scope 3, their value chain, where they may have little control over decrease techniques or where reductions may not be instant. That is where Clearloop is available in– were a brand-new tool for services little and huge to take concrete climate action today and assist us decarbonize the grid in the places that need it one of the most. We require more innovative ways to assist tackle the environment crisis in a manner that buys the locations where that dollar develops more economic opportunity and social mobility for the neighborhoods where were building. Were firm followers that the ecological, health, and economic advantages of tidy energy investments should reach all corners of our nation and were trying to find partners who are all set to do something about it
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The American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) is pleased to share the next installation in our “Accelerating Renewables” blog site series.
Each installment features industry leaders and subjects associated with speeding up an equitable and just shift to a renewable resource economy. In acknowledgment 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 business founded by three Tennesseans who desire to make certain that the development and benefits of renewable resource reach all communities around our country similarly, starting with the communities that have a history of getting left behind. 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 business?
Clearloop started as a concept that changed 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 improving the economies in Middle America where access to clean energy is restricted.

Inform us about Clearloop?
Clearloop is a cleantech start-up that partners with business of all sizes to help them cut (or reclaim) their carbon footprint, tidy up the grid, and expand access to tidy energy by building brand-new solar jobs in American neighborhoods otherwise getting left behind. Were pioneering putting a carbon value on the building and construction of new solar capability thats determined in watts, not watt-hours, with a brand-new financing structure that allows a wider array of business to take part, while also being deliberate about the communities where were investing to attain an equitable clean energy future. We recently began on our very first utility-connected solar project in Jackson, Tennessee. As we grow, Clearloop will be focusing on Appalachia and the Mississippi Delta as we deal with both dirty grids and financially distressed neighborhoods with our solar tasks
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What obstacles do you deal with? Why?
One of the most significant obstacles for us, as a fairly new entrant in the tidy energy and carbon markets, is making reliability with industry leaders who might be utilized to doing things a certain way. Clearloop is challenging some of the standard methods which brand-new solar advancements have actually been funded, and accentuating new locations and equity, to reinsert carbon emissions decreases into the business procurement discussion. Im a true believer that our viewpoint from the middle of the country, and our lived experiences as creators from very different backgrounds, has brought into focus why we need more creative solutions to assist clean up the grid. Weve been motivated by corporate partners like Intuit and Vista Equity Partners, along with brand names like Dropps and Hello Bello, whove purchased recovering their carbon footprint by assisting us construct our extremely first solar job. Weve also had the great fortune of finding like-minded organizations like ACORE who acknowledge 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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