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 installment in our “Accelerating Renewables” blog series.
Each installment features industry leaders and subjects connected to speeding up a fair and simply transition 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 sustainable energy sector.
Today, we are including Clearloop, an Accelerate member business founded by 3 Tennesseans who wish to make sure that the innovation and advantages of renewable resource reach all neighborhoods around our nation equally, beginning with the neighborhoods that have a history of getting left behind. Click HERE to learn 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 morphed into a business. In the early days– even before we had actually chosen the name– we were evaluating out the theory that more business require to purchase 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. For me, as one of three founders, this business was influenced by the desire to bring clarity to a big issue with a basic service. We wanted business to take climate action in the exact same community that invited my family as immigrants, and kept me going when things felt dark and the path was uncertain
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Clearloop started as a concept that changed into a business. In the early days– even before we had decided on the name– we were checking out the theory that more business need to invest in cleaning up the electricity grid so those dollars can be invested improving the economies in Middle America where access to tidy energy is restricted. Clearloop is a cleantech start-up that partners with business of all sizes to assist them cut (or reclaim) their carbon footprint, clean up the grid, and expand access to clean energy by constructing brand-new solar tasks in American neighborhoods otherwise getting left behind. Were showing that you dont need to be a Fortune 500 business with the capability to sign a power purchase arrangement to assist develop brand brand-new solar projects. Even big companies that have led the method in eco-friendly energy procurement are now faced with the truth that the most significant portion 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 instant.

How can prospective partners work with you?
Were proving that you do not need to be a Fortune 500 company with the ability to sign a power purchase agreement to help develop brand name brand-new solar projects. Even big business that have blazed a trail in renewable resource procurement are now faced with the truth that the biggest chunk of their carbon footprint is in Scope 3, their worth chain, where they might have little control over decrease strategies or where reductions might not be instant. That is where Clearloop can be found in– were a brand-new tool for organizations small and huge to take concrete environment action right now and assist us decarbonize the grid in the places that need it one of the most. We need more innovative ways to help take on the climate crisis in a method that buys the places where that dollar develops more economic opportunity and social mobility for the neighborhoods where were building. Were firm followers that the ecological, health, and financial advantages of clean energy financial investments must reach all corners of our country and were looking for partners who are ready to act
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Inform us about Clearloop?
Clearloop is a cleantech startup that partners with companies of all sizes to help them cut (or recover) their carbon footprint, clean up the grid, and expand access to tidy energy by developing new solar tasks in American neighborhoods otherwise getting left behind. As we grow, Clearloop will be focusing on Appalachia and the Mississippi Delta as we deal with both dirty grids and financially distressed communities with our solar projects
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What difficulties do you face? Why?
One of the biggest difficulties for us, as a fairly new entrant in the clean energy and carbon markets, is earning credibility with market leaders who may be utilized to doing things a particular way. Clearloop is challenging some of the conventional methods in which new solar developments have been financed, and bringing attention to new locations and equity, to reinsert carbon emissions reductions into the business procurement conversation.

To get more information about Clearloop, visit https://clearloop.us/.
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