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

By Constance ThompsonSeptember 24, 2021

To read more about Clearloop, see https://clearloop.us/.
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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 reclaim) their carbon footprint, clean up the grid, and expand access to tidy energy by developing new solar projects in American neighborhoods otherwise getting left. Were pioneering putting a carbon value on the building and construction of brand-new solar capacity thats measured in watts, not watt-hours, with a brand-new financing structure that enables a broader range of companies to take part, while also being intentional about the neighborhoods where were investing to accomplish a fair clean energy future. We just recently began on our very first utility-connected solar job in Jackson, Tennessee. As we grow, Clearloop will be concentrating on Appalachia and the Mississippi Delta as we take on both unclean grids and financially distressed communities with our solar jobs
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What challenges do you deal with? Why?
Among the most significant difficulties for us, as a relatively new entrant in the clean energy and carbon markets, is earning trustworthiness with industry leaders who may be utilized to doing things a certain method. Clearloop is challenging a few of the conventional methods which brand-new solar developments have actually been financed, and bringing attention to brand-new geographies and equity, to reinsert carbon emissions decreases into the corporate procurement conversation. Im a real follower that our vantage point from the middle of the nation, and our lived experiences as founders from really different backgrounds, has brought into focus why we require more imaginative options to help clean up the grid. Weve been encouraged by corporate partners like Intuit and Vista Equity Partners, as well as brand names like Dropps and Hello Bello, whove bought reclaiming their carbon footprint by helping us build our really first solar project. Weve also had the terrific fortune of discovering like-minded organizations like ACORE who acknowledge the value of bringing varied perspectives to tidying up the grid and have really constructed a program like Accelerate to guarantee we have a seat at the table
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The American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) is happy to share the next installment in our “Accelerating Renewables” blog site series.
Each installment features market leaders and subjects connected to speeding up a fair and simply shift to a renewable energy economy. In acknowledgment of National Hispanic Heritage Month, our September features highlight how 3 Hispanic-owned Accelerate member business are thriving in the renewable resource sector.
Today, we are featuring Clearloop, an Accelerate member business founded by three Tennesseans who wish to make sure that the development and advantages of renewable energy reach all neighborhoods around our nation similarly, beginning with the neighborhoods that have a history of getting left. Click on this link 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 started as an idea that morphed into a business. In the early days– even prior to we had picked the name– we were checking out the theory that more business need to buy cleaning up the electrical energy grid so those dollars can be invested boosting 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 problem with a simple service. We wanted companies to take environment action in the exact same community that welcomed my family as immigrants, and kept me going when things felt dark and the path was unclear
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How can prospective partners do company with you?
Were proving that you do not require to be a Fortune 500 company with the ability to sign a power purchase arrangement to help develop brand name new solar tasks. Even huge companies that have actually led the method in eco-friendly energy procurement are now faced with the reality that the greatest chunk of their carbon footprint is in Scope 3, their worth chain, where they may have little control over reduction methods or where decreases may not be immediate.

Clearloop began as a concept that changed into a company. In the early days– even before we had decided 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 enhancing the economies in Middle America where access to clean energy is limited. Clearloop is a cleantech start-up that partners with business 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 projects in American communities otherwise getting left behind. Were showing that you dont need to be a Fortune 500 business with the ability to sign a power purchase arrangement to assist construct brand brand-new solar tasks. Even huge companies that have led the way in renewable 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 might have little control over decrease methods or where decreases might not be instant.