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

By Constance ThompsonSeptember 24, 2021

To find out more about Clearloop, see https://clearloop.us/.
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Tell us about Clearloop?
Clearloop is a cleantech startup that partners with business of all sizes to assist them cut (or recover) their carbon footprint, tidy up the grid, and expand access to clean energy by constructing brand-new solar tasks in American neighborhoods otherwise getting left. Were pioneering putting a carbon value on the construction of new solar capacity thats determined in watts, not watt-hours, with a brand-new financing structure that allows a broader selection of business to take part, while also being intentional about the communities where were investing to attain a fair clean energy future. We just recently began on our very first utility-connected solar task in Jackson, Tennessee. As we grow, Clearloop will be focusing on Appalachia and the Mississippi Delta as we tackle both filthy grids and financially distressed communities with our solar jobs
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What difficulties do you deal with? Why?
One of the biggest challenges for us, as a fairly brand-new entrant in the tidy energy and carbon markets, is earning credibility with industry leaders who may be used to doing things a certain way. Clearloop is challenging some of the conventional methods in which new solar advancements have been financed, and bringing attention to new geographies and equity, to reinsert carbon emissions decreases into the corporate procurement conversation.

Clearloop started as a concept that changed into a business. In the early days– even before we had 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. Clearloop is a cleantech start-up that partners with business of all sizes to assist them cut (or reclaim) their carbon footprint, tidy up the grid, and expand access to tidy energy by constructing brand-new solar jobs in American communities otherwise getting left behind. Were showing that you dont need to be a Fortune 500 company with the capability to sign a power purchase arrangement to assist construct brand name brand-new solar projects. Even huge business that have actually led the method in renewable energy procurement are now faced with the truth that the greatest portion of their carbon footprint is in Scope 3, their worth chain, where they may have little control over decrease techniques or where decreases may not be immediate.

How can prospective partners work with you?
Were showing that you dont require to be a Fortune 500 business with the capability to sign a power purchase agreement to assist construct brand brand-new solar projects. Even big business that have led the way in renewable resource procurement are now confronted with the reality that the most significant portion of their carbon footprint remains in Scope 3, their worth chain, where they may have little control over decrease methods or where decreases may not be instant. That is where Clearloop can be found in– were a brand-new tool for services huge and small to take tangible environment action right now and assist us decarbonize the grid in the places that require it the a lot of. We need more creative ways to assist deal with the climate crisis in such a way that invests in the places where that dollar produces more economic opportunity and social mobility for the neighborhoods where were developing. Were firm followers that the ecological, health, and economic advantages of clean energy financial investments need to reach all corners of our country and were searching for partners who are prepared to act
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The American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) is delighted to share the next installment in our “Accelerating Renewables” blog site series.
Each installment features market leaders and topics associated with accelerating a fair and just transition to a renewable 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 founded by three Tennesseans who want to make certain that the innovation and benefits of renewable energy reach all neighborhoods around our country equally, beginning with the communities that have a history of getting left behind. Click HERE to find out 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
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What inspired you to start your business?
Clearloop began as a concept that changed into a company. In the early days– even before we had actually chosen on the name– we were checking out the theory that more business need to buy tidying up the electricity grid so those dollars can be invested enhancing the economies in Middle America where access to clean energy is limited. For me, as one of three founders, this company was motivated by the desire to bring clarity to a big issue with an easy solution. We wanted business to take climate action in the same community that welcomed my family as immigrants, and kept me going when things felt dark and the course was unclear
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